Centre for Developmental Cancer Therapeutics

The Centre for Developmental Cancer Therapeutics (CDCT) was an Australian biotechnology consortium based in Melbourne, Victoria, established to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical trials. Founded in 2003 with support from the Victorian Government's Strategic Technology Innovation Fund, the center operated as a virtual organization connecting premier research institutes such as the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. CDCT specialized in the management and execution of Phase 1 clinical trials for novel oncology therapeutics, providing essential infrastructure for first-in-human studies. The organization focused on a variety of modalities, including small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, targeting diverse cancer pathways. By consolidating clinical trial expertise, CDCT aimed to accelerate the commercialization of Australian cancer research. The center's functions and collaborative model eventually paved the way for the establishment of the Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx) in 2007.