Health and life sciences

Adelaide is the ideal location for life sciences research and investment. The AUD$3.6 billion BioMed City is one of the largest health and life sciences clusters in the Southern Hemisphere and co-locates institutions from research, education and clinical care in a precinct right in the heart of Adelaide.

Various global health companies are now choosing Adelaide as their destination of choice for research and development, clinical trials, manufacturing and sales and marketing. Adelaide is seeing strong industry investment, focused on pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinical trials, nutraceuticals and digital healthcare.

In Adelaide, you will find:

  • facilities for preclinical and Phase One, Two and Three clinical trials with regulatory approval in an average of six weeks, saving six to nine months
  • automotive and defence experience now applied to medical device manufacturing
  • world-class AI and machine learning research centres
  • local expertise in extraction, purification, production, packaging and marketing for nutraceuticals
  • up to 43.5 per cent cashback for clinical trials, analytics, study drug manufacture and prototype manufacture.

Adelaide’s global reputation as an epicentre for medical innovation continues to flourish due to its diverse ecosystem of health and life science research and development.

Adelaide BioMed City provides the centrepiece of this ecosystem. Research, education, clinical care and business development both thrive and work cohesively in one location in the city centre. Institutions include The South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) – home to hundreds of researchers and practicing and producing world-leading medical and technological innovation and the Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia’s flagship hospital.

Adelaide is also home to the Tonsley innovation district. Located only 10 kilometres from the city, this 61-hectare site brings together leading-edge research and education institutions, established businesses and start-ups, business incubators and accelerators.

The South Australian health and life science ecosystem consists of:

  • hospital and translational research funding
  • incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces
  • university technology transfer offices
  • offices of national medical and health science organisations.