Gilead Sciences Australia

Gilead Sciences welcomes the MSAC recommendation for public funding of YESCARTA® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) as a second line treatment for relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell Lymphoma (LBCL). Read our full statement below.

This week we welcomed the opening of Australia’s first regional Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Treatment Centre at the Townsville University Hospital in Far North Queensland. Queensland is currently the only state in Australia to have a CAR T Treatment Centre in both a metropolitan and regional area.   In recognising this significant milestone, Gilead ANZ General Manager Jaime McCoy called for continued efforts to ensure greater equity in access to CAR T across the country.   “We believe Australians living with blood cancers who are eligible for CAR T should have an option to receive treatment as close to their home as possible, particularly as this highly specialised treatment requires remaining near the hospital for several weeks. This can place a significant burden on patients and their families.”   “We remain committed to working with governments, patient advocacy groups and the clinical community to establish much needed additional CAR T treatment centres, particularly in SA, ACT, Tasmania and the NT where disappointingly there are no centres able to give treatment at all, meaning that patients must then relocate interstate for a period of time.” 

Bring Your Kids to Work Day is underway at our Melbourne office today! Around 40 budding young scientists joined us for a day of fun, learning and a celebratory pizza lunch with the whole team. A great school holiday activity and one of our important People & Culture initiatives we hold throughout the year. 

Today marks the first day of NAIDOC Week, a chance for us all to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This week our team will reflect on the 2024 chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud'. This honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ahead of World Hepatitis Day later this month, our team was delighted to attend this year’s parliamentary event, joining with community and Minister Butler to discuss viral hepatitis in Australia. This year’s theme ‘Hepatitis Can't Wait’ emphasises the need for accelerated efforts in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. BELINDA WOOD Ben Carroll Hepatitis Australia

Applications are now open for the GLOWS Large & Medium Grants! Grants are available up to $800,000 over two years. Research funded through these grants must address the overall goal of the program, being to increase health equity and address disparities that continue to drive the transmission of HIV/viral hepatitis within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and work towards elimination. For more information or to apply, please visit the Lowitja Institute: https://hubs.li/Q02CY8lr0

As Pride Month comes to a close, we thank our Australian PRIDE Alliance employee resource group. This dedicated team helps ensure LGBTQIA+ employees and their allies can be their authentic selves, feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to contribute to Gilead’s success.

One in four cancers diagnosed in Australia are considered rare or less common. Today, on Rare Cancers Awareness Day, we show our support for people diagnosed with rare, less common and complex cancers and let them know that they are not alone. Rare Cancers Australia

There's only one week left to apply for the 2024 Young Emerging Scientist HIV Fellowship! Gilead ANZ is proud to fund this initiative to support and inspire the next generation of HIV scientists in Australia. The four successful Fellows will be mentored by some of the leading Australia HIV Scientists (at specific research institutions) and HIV advocates. To find out more or apply today, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gS9muuv5

During this week’s All Hands meeting in Melbourne we heard from three new members of the Gilead ANZ team – Shiara Mutukisna, Co Luu and Byron Muntz.    Our team heard why they decided to join Gilead, what excites them about the future and how they are enjoying the first few weeks of their new roles.   Welcome to the team and thank you to Philip Murphy for doing such a great job hosting this fun panel session!