News and updates from across the Clinical Trials Network.
CLIP-II trial results now published
Congratulations to Professor Michael Reade and the CLIP-II investigators on the publication of the trial’s main results in JAMA.
The study has confirmed that frozen (cryopreserved) platelets are safe for use in adult cardiac surgery, but are less effective than standard liquid-stored platelets for routine bleeding control. The NHMRC-funded CLIP-II trial enrolled 388 patients across 11 hospitals and found that frozen platelets were associated with greater blood loss, increased transfusion requirements, and longer hospital stays, although serious adverse events were similar between groups.
Professor Reade said liquid platelets remain the standard of care, but frozen platelets may be life-saving when no alternatives are available, particularly in rural, military, and disaster settings.
A/Prof David Highton wins 2025 Chief Executive’s Award
Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital’s Director of Anaesthesia, Associate Professor David Highton, has received the 2025 Metro South Health Chief Executive’s Award, one of the health service’s highest honours.
The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network congratulates Associate Professor Highton on this outstanding achievement and his continued contribution to excellence in anaesthesia and perioperative medicine.
Read the full feature article on Associate Professor Highton’s career and impact, published by Metro South Health.
Professor Gudrun Kunst visits ANZCA CTN
Professor Gudrun Kunst will spend the remainder of 2025 in Melbourne as a visiting professor, strengthening collaboration between Australian, UK and European perioperative research communities. A consultant anaesthesiologist at King’s College Hospital and Honorary Professor at King’s College London, Professor Kunst is internationally recognised for her expertise in cardiovascular anaesthesia and perioperative organ protection, and holds several senior leadership roles. Following her recent invited presentations at the 3SCTS meeting in Sydney, she will use her time in Melbourne to reconnect with collaborators, meet CTN investigators and explore opportunities for joint research. Researchers interested in meeting with Professor Kunst are encouraged to contact the CTN office.
Professor Kate Leslie featured in TopMedTalk’s new Perioperative Profiles series
At the Evidence-Based Perioperative Medicine meeting in Dingle, TopMedTalk host Dr Andy Cumpstey interviewed Professor Kate Leslie AO FAHMS for the new Perioperative Profiles series. She reflected on her research journey, landmark ANZCA CTN trials, and the value of collaboration, mentorship, and diversity in anaesthesia research, along with recent career honours including the ASA Award for Research Excellence and her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia.
Professor Kate Leslie honoured with ASA award
Professor Kate Leslie AO FAHMS has been awarded the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Award for Research Excellence for 2025, recognising her outstanding contribution to anaesthesia research and leadership.
Clinical trial networks connect to share insights
Leaders from major Australian and New Zealand clinical trial networks gathered on 22 October at The University of Melbourne for the annual Department of Critical Care Connections meeting. The event provided an opportunity to share successes and challenges, underscoring the importance of research co-ordinators in delivering safe, high-quality clinical research.
2025 CTN workshop wrap up
Explore the full workshop wrap up featuring highlights, photo galleries and videos from our 2025 CTN workshop, held in Glenelg, South Australia (8–10 August).
The program featured concurrent streams on clinical trial delivery and emerging investigator development, with standout moments including the sharp-witted great debate, the inspiring story of ROCKet trial participant Hannah Cozens, mentoring sessions, and discussions on embedding research within the ANZCA curriculum. A space-themed conference dinner capped off the event, celebrating the completion of the ROCKet trial and 30 years since recruitment began for the network’s first trial, MASTER.
CTN pilot grant scheme open for applications
The ANZCA CTN Pilot Grant Scheme is now open, offering up to A$10,000 to support pilot and feasibility studies in anaesthesia, pain medicine, and perioperative medicine. Applications close Monday 8 December, 5pm AEDT, with outcomes announced in March 2026. For further information or to request application documents, email Karen Goulding.
PROMPT master protocol endorsed by ANZCA CTN
The CTN has endorsed the Perioperative Medicine Platform trial (PROMPT), a major international perioperative platform trial. Using a Bayesian adaptive design, PROMPT will test a range of therapies and care approaches across multiple hospitals worldwide. The trial will include patients undergoing abdominal, cardiac, orthopaedic, obstetric and gynaecological surgery, with interventions detailed in domain-specific appendices. This endorsement highlights PROMPT’s potential to deliver practice-changing evidence and improve outcomes for surgical patients globally.
CTN media interview with Professor Tomas Corcoran
Professor Tomas Corcoran, chair of the Clinical Trials Network Executive was interviewed for the ABC Radio Adelaide Drive program on 6 August about the CTN and the Reduction Of Chronic post-surgical pain with Ketamine (ROCKet) trial.
Professor Paul Myles featured in TopMedTalk’s new Perioperative Profiles series
TopMedTalk has launched Perioperative Profiles, a new series highlighting the journeys of leading researchers in perioperative medicine. The first episode features Professor Paul Myles, who shares how his early career aspirations evolved into a passion for anaesthesia and research. He reflects on establishing landmark multi-centre studies and the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network. The conversation also touches on balancing career and family, the role of mentorship, and the future of perioperative research through adaptive platform trials.
Dr Matthew Bright wins 2025 Emerging Investigator Prize
Congratulations to Dr Matthew Bright, awarded the ANZCA CTN Emerging Investigator Prize at the 2025 Strategic Research Workshop for his study WAVELET-II: Individualised haemodynamic optimisation informed by the lower limit of cerebral autoregulation during PEARS surgery. The prize, supported by the ANZCA Foundation, recognises early-career researchers in anaesthesia, pain, and perioperative medicine, fostering innovation and academic excellence.
CTN satellite meeting focuses on Māori research principles and collaboration
On 10 August 2025 in Glenelg, SA, the CTN hosted a Trans-Tasman satellite meeting with 30 investigators from Australia and New Zealand. Sessions explored Māori research principles, ethics, and site sustainability, reinforcing CTN’s commitment to culturally grounded, collaborative research.
CTN launches new toolkit
The CTN has launched a new toolkit with more than 30 tailored resources to support trainees, fellows, investigators, and research co-ordinators. Covering trial readiness, career pathways, research development, and departmental sustainability, the toolkit is available via the CTN webpage and the ANZCA Institutional Research Repository (AIRR).
