UNSW and Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute sign renewed affiliation

The expanded agreement strengthens a shared focus on improving outcomes for people living with cardiovascular disease.

UNSW Sydney and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) have signed a new, expanded 10-year affiliation agreement, cementing their commitment to cardiovascular research.

The new agreement will ensure the continued success of the affiliation, which has been in place since 1995.

VCCRI, launched in honour of heart transplant surgeon Dr Victor Chang AC, is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease through world-class and cutting-edge medical research.

UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs said the renewed agreement reflected a shared ambition to advance life-saving medical research.

“This expanded agreement demonstrates the deep commitment between UNSW Sydney and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute to deliver world-leading research that improves and saves lives,” Prof. Brungs said.

“By extending this collaboration, we are creating even greater opportunities for breakthrough discoveries to help prevent and end cardiovascular disease, while developing the next generation of medical leaders.

“Together, we are strengthening Australia’s global leadership in health and biomedical research.”

A shared vision for heart health

VCCRI works to advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, with a strong focus on rapidly translating research discoveries into improved patient care. 

The affiliation reflects one of the pillars of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, Enabling Healthy Lives, and it has helped drive major breakthroughs.

Professor Jason Kovacic, the Institute’s CEO and Director, said: “This renewed agreement marks an exciting new chapter for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute and UNSW Sydney. Together, we are deepening our shared goal of tackling one of Australia’s biggest killers and accelerating the discoveries that will transform patient care.

“Over the next decade, our affiliation will strengthen our ability to push the boundaries of scientific innovation, launch new clinical trials, and fast‑track breakthroughs. By combining our strengths in fundamental science, translational research, and medical education, we are creating a powerful platform to improve the lives of millions of people living with heart disease. 

“We are proud to continue our affiliation with UNSW, and we look forward to the extraordinary impact we will achieve together.”

Recent collaborative research helped uncover one of the key drivers behind fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a vascular disease that can lead to stroke, heart attack and aneurysm and is thought to affect up to one in 20 women.

The collaboration also led to world-leading innovation in heart transplantation and cardiovascular genetics. Researchers from UNSW, VCCRI and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney were involved in pioneering Australia’s ‘Heart in a Box’ technology, which enables donor hearts to be revived and transplanted after cardiac death, significantly expanding transplant opportunities. 

Other joint research has investigated the genetic causes of atrial fibrillation, with the aim of improving understanding of heart rhythm disorders and reducing the risk of complications including heart failure and stroke. 

Driving the next decade of cardiovascular discovery

Dean of UNSW Medicine & Health Professor Cheryl Jones said she was excited to see what the next chapter with VCCRI would deliver.

“Over the next 10 years, this expanded agreement will help drive new discoveries in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease,” Prof. Jones said.

“By bringing together leading researchers and clinicians from UNSW and VCCRI, we can work more closely together to turn research into better care and outcomes for patients.

“This agreement strongly aligns with UNSW’s priorities, helping ensure world-class research delivers real benefits for people and communities in Australia and around the world.”

Aligned with UNSW’s strategy and focus on precision medicine, the renewed agreement will combine UNSW’s strengths in genomics with VCCRI’s Precision Cardiovascular Medicine program to accelerate research into inherited heart disease, improve prediction of sudden cardiac death and support the development of more personalised therapies.

VCCRI’s translational approach to cardiovascular research, focused on moving discoveries from the laboratory into clinical trials and patient care more quickly, will also be strengthened through access to UNSW’s world-class research infrastructure and health precincts.