CTN highlights: latest news

Pilot grant scheme now open

Applications are now open for the 2027 ANZCA Clinical Trials Network Pilot Grant Scheme, with grants of up to A$10,000 available through the ANZCA Foundation.

The scheme supports pilot and feasibility studies in anaesthesia, pain and perioperative medicine that may lead to larger multicentre clinical research. ANZCA and FPM fellows and trainees are encouraged to apply, with eligibility also extending to fellows and trainees of other specialist colleges in accordance with the scheme policy.

Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on Monday 7 December 2026. To obtain the Pilot Grant Scheme Policy, application form and registration key, contact the CTN office.

ITACS results now published

The landmark international Intravenous iron to treat anaemia before cardiac surgery (ITACS): an international, double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial has found that giving intravenous iron to anaemic patients before cardiac surgery can reduce blood transfusions and help patients recover faster.

The ITACS trial involved 955 patients across 42 hospitals and was led by The Alfred and Monash University, with funding from the NHMRC and ANZCA Foundation.

Patients who received intravenous iron were one-third less likely to require a blood transfusion and spent more time at home during the first three months after surgery.

The findings, published in the British Medical Journal, could help change how anaemia is managed before heart surgery and reduce demand on blood supplies.

See the media release here. The news was picked up by media outlets across Australia. Congratulations to Professor Paul Myles and the ITACS team on the publication of this important research.

CTN launches new Strategic Plan 2026–2029

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network has released its new Strategic Plan 2026–2029, setting out a clear direction for the network during a period of transition, growth and increasing complexity in clinical research.

Developed through extensive consultation with investigators, research coordinators, the CTN Executive, the Anaesthesia Research Co-ordinators Network Sub-committee and ANZCA leaders, the plan focuses on sustainability, engagement, workforce development and strengthening the CTN’s capacity to deliver high-quality multicentre research.

Key priorities include more sustainable funding models, stronger advocacy, greater consumer engagement, and structured pathways to support emerging investigators, research coordinators and future trial leaders.

The plan aligns with ANZCA’s Strategic Plan 2026–2028 and supports the College’s strategic focus on improved patient outcomes.

The CTN’s vision is to be the leading perioperative clinical trials network in the world, delivering transformative evidence, strengthening research capability and enhancing research literacy across the specialty.

Emerging investigators showcase new research

Four emerging investigators presented new research proposals at the 2026 ANZCA CTN Strategic Research Workshop on the Gold Coast, receiving feedback from experienced investigators, methodologists, statisticians and research coordinators. The session supports the CTN’s commitment to mentorship, peer review and development of the next generation of research leaders. Dr Sarah Lee was awarded the 2026 Emerging Investigator Prize, supported by the ANZCA Foundation.

Fellowships support important perioperative and stroke research

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) congratulates Dr Doug Campbell and Professor Paul Myles on receiving prestigious five-year research fellowships supporting major programs of clinical research.

Dr Campbell has been appointed as the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Senior Clinical Research Fellow, supporting a program focused on translating promising neuroprotective strategies into clinical trials for patients with ischaemic stroke, including studies of treatments that can be delivered early in the ischaemic period.

Professor Myles has received a Level 3 NHMRC Investigator Grant, worth more than $A3 million, for his program Leading Global High-Impact Perioperative Clinical Trials. A major focus will be development of the PROMPT adaptive Bayesian platform trial, designed to efficiently evaluate multiple treatments aimed at reducing complications following major surgery.

The CTN congratulates Doug and Paul on these significant achievements and looks forward to the impact of their research on patient care.

Fellowships support important perioperative research

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network (CTN) congratulates Dr Julie Lee and Dr Usha Gurunathan on receiving Metro North Clinician Research Fellowships for 2026. The fellowships provide protected research time to investigate two important areas of perioperative care: caesarean section-related haemorrhage and venous thromboembolism following hip fracture surgery.

We also congratulate Dr Doug Campbell, who received a Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Senior Clinical Fellowship to undertake further stroke research.

SNaPP results now published

The SNaPP study (Sugammadex, Neostigmine and Postoperative Pulmonary complications) has been published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine led by Professor Kate Leslie AO FAHMS.  Professor Leslie presented the results of the SNaPP study at the 8th Biennial Collaborative Clinical Trials in Anaesthesia Conference in Prato, Italy. Congratulations to Kate and the SNaPP team on these important findings. A podcast interview with Professor Leslie is now available on TopMedTalk. A video presentation of the results and the media release are also available online. See a full media digest here.

Professor Paul Myles named distinguished professor

Professor Paul Myles has been named one of Monash University’s inaugural vice-chancellor’s distinguished professors, recognising his international leadership in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine. Professor Myles is Head of Alfred Health’s and Monash University’s Department of Anaesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. He is an NHMRC Leadership Fellow and Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, with more than 450 publications and over $80 million in NHMRC and MRFF funding. Congratulations Paul on this significant and well-deserved recognition.

Generous donation by Dr Peter Lowe

Dr Peter Lowe has generously donated an additional $10,000 to expand the CTN Pilot Grant Scheme, following his earlier $10,000 contribution. We sincerely thank Peter for his ongoing support and generosity, as well as the continued support of all ANZCA Foundation donors.

CTN program at the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the CTN program at this year’s ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM).

The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network hosted three interactive workshops and two plenary sessions at the 2026 ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting, highlighting practical ways for fellows and trainees to get involved in research.

Sessions covered pilot, feasibility and vanguard studies, observational research, publishing, patient-centred outcomes, target trial emulation, platform trials, simplified consent models and the use of routinely collected data in clinical trials.

A key theme across the program was that high-quality research starts well before a major randomised trial. Strong clinical research depends on clear questions, feasible study design, meaningful consumer engagement, relevant outcomes and rigorous methodology to build evidence that improves patient care.

Fellows recognised at the 2026 College Ceremony

Congratulations to Professor Andrew Davidson (Vic) and Associate Professor Stuart Marshall (Vic), along with all recipients of Robert Orton Medals and ANZCA awards for significant contribution to our specialty. Learn more in the Winter 2026 edition of the ANZCA Bulletin.

ARCN Sub-committee and CTN Executive changes

We are delighted to welcome Ms Kaitlin Kramer who has been appointed Anaesthesia Research Coordinators Network (ARCN) Sub-committe chair, taking over from Ms Dhiraj Bhatia Dwivedi, with Ms Natalie Hird appointed deputy chair. We also welcome Ms Natasha Brice, who has been appointed to the ARCN Sub-committee, and Dr Stanley Wong, who has been appointed as the Hong Kong representative on the CTN Executive. 

Professor Andrew Davidson has stepped down from the CTN Executive, and Ms Samantha Bates has stepped down from the ARCN Sub-committee. We thank Andrew and Samantha for their valued contributions to the network. Dhiraj will continue on the ARCN Sub-committee as the Victorian representative and immediate past chair.

2026 ANZCA Foundation named research awards

At the 2026 ANZCA ASM in Auckland, ANZCA Research Committee chair, Associate Professor Stuart Marshall, presented 12 named research awards. These awards recognise outstanding investigators, support their career development, and honour the vital contributions of donors to research.

2026 CTN pilot grant awards announced

Congratulations to all recipients of the 2026 CTN Pilot Grant Awards. A full list of funded projects is available on our webpage. We gratefully acknowledge Dr Peter Lowe for his generous additional $10,000 donation to expand the program, along with the ongoing support of all Foundation donors.

MRFF grant success for delirium research

Congratulations to Professor Robert Sanders and colleagues on securing an A$800,000 MRFF Clinical Trials Activity grant for the NOTBADD pilot trial, targeting prevention of post-operative delirium in older adults. The double-blinded, multicentre pilot will enrol 120 patients aged 60 years and over to test the feasibility of pragmatic strategies including NSAID (celecoxib) use, avoidance of peri-induction midazolam, and EEG-guided depth of anaesthesia. Findings will inform a subsequent large-scale platform trial. The study brings together senior and emerging ANZCA CTN investigators, is strongly shaped by consumer partners, and builds on the team’s prior NHMRC-funded DECIDE trial success.

Call to fully release the MRFF funds

Professor Paul Myles FANZCA alongside consumers and fellow researchers, feature in a video for the Medical Research Matters campaign. The campaign is calling on the federal government to consider increasing health related research funding through increased disbursements from the MRFF fund. Visit the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes for further information.

Anaesthetists lead landmark international cardiac surgery trial

The ANZCA CTN welcomes the announcement of a A$3.7 million MRFF grant supporting the PUMA trial, a world-first international study comparing pulmonary artery catheters with less invasive central venous catheters in low-risk cardiac surgery. Led by Dr Luke Perry and delivered through the ANZCA CTN, the 2,000-patient trial will commence in Australia and internationally in 2026. We congratulate Dr Perry and the investigator team on this significant achievement, which has the potential to improve patient outcomes while reducing risk, cost and complexity in open-heart surgery.

How lived experience is changing heart surgery research

Paige Druce, a member of the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network team, brings rare and powerful lived experience to the PUMA trial. As a heart surgery patient and carer, alongside her professional expertise as a clinical trial researcher, Paige offers a unique dual perspective. This insight is helping reshape how cardiac care is designed, studied and delivered, ensuring research prioritises not only scientific rigour but also outcomes that truly matter to patients. By embedding consumer voices from the very beginning, Paige aims for the PUMA trial, led by Dr Luke Perry, to become a model for more collaborative, patient-centred cardiac research grounded in real-world experience, strengthening trust and improving care for people undergoing heart surgery.