Flinders University’s new $280m Health and Medical Research Building opens

At 10 storeys high, Flinders University’s landmark Health and Medical Research Building at Bedford Park is the tallest building in Adelaide's southern suburbs. See the flyover.

South Australia’s biomedical research credentials take a giant stride forward today with the opening of Flinders University’s landmark $280m Health and Medical Research Building (HMRB) at Bedford Park.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Peter Malinauskas joined Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling in opening the HMRB, purpose-built to foster collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals and industry to drive advances in medical science.

The 10-storey building is ready to house more than 600 researchers, clinicians and staff with a lifesaving and life-improving mission to translate world-class research into better health and wellbeing outcomes for the community.

The tallest building in the southern suburbs is the flagship of the wider Flinders Village development — southern Adelaide’s biomedical research precinct bringing together researchers, education, accommodation and services, driving $1.5bn in economic activity including 600 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs.

Flinders University Health and Medical Research Building. Picture: Trevor Martin

Located adjacent to Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders Private Hospital, the building will, in the words of Premier Peter Malinauskas, “utterly transform the south and this biomedical precinct.”

Mr Albanese said the facility will be changing lives for the better for generations to come.

“I’m incredibly excited to see history being made at the HMRB – whether it’s better understanding neural pathways to control chronic pain, unravelling the secrets in our DNA to address debilitating genetic conditions, supporting the health of mothers and babies – there are endless possibilities to what the 600 researchers here will be able to achieve,” he said.

“I’m incredibly excited to see history being made at the HMRB.” Picture: Mark Zed, courtesy of Hansen Yuncken

“The HMRB is a game-changer in medical research.” Picture: Mark Zed, courtesy of Hansen Yuncken

“When I speak about a Future Made in Australia – this is what it looks like. Australian research, hard work and ingenuity keeping us at the global cutting edge.”

Prof Stirling said: “The HMRB is a game-changer in medical research, turning breakthrough research and clinical trials into real benefits for Australians in disease prevention and treatment.

“This state-of-the-art facility will drive collaboration and empower our researchers and students to push the boundaries of medical innovation.”

The view from inside the building. Picture: Mark Zed, courtesy of Hansen Yuncken

Flinders University's new Health and Medical Research Building. Picture: Mark Zed, courtesy of Hansen Yuncken

Mr Malinauskas stressed that boosting the quality and volume of research undertaken in SA is fundamental to increasing the complexity of our economy.

“To this end, Flinders University is a leader. The research undertaken at this incredible new facility will help save lives. The proximity of this new building alongside the Flinders Medical Centre will provide opportunities for researchers to work alongside our clinicians and their patients to tailor safe and effective treatments and get them into use.”

Researchers such as Dr Claire Jessup developing new treatments for women with ovarian cancer, Associate Professor Luke Selth working on new therapies to beat prostate cancer and Professor Robyn Meech working on anti-cancer therapies are among the hundreds of researchers whose work will benefit from the HMRB.