CTEP-WA Clinical Trials Forum

The Clinical Trials Forum is a collaborative initiative of WAHTN CTEP-WA that serves as a form of internal peer review for the WA clinical trials community. The forum provides structured expert feedback on proposed trial designs at an early stage, before significant time and resources are committed to an application. 

What to expect 

Each session lasts ~1 hour and features one or two presentations from investigators at the design or early development stage of a trial. Presentations are followed by structured discussion from an expert panel. Panel members are drawn from a range of clinical and methodological backgrounds and are there to advise and provide constructive critical feedback with a focus on design validity, feasibility, and pathway to impact. For audience members, the forum is an opportunity to learn about trial design and conduct with options for online attendance.  

Objectives 

The forum has three core objectives: 

  • Provide structured peer review of proposed trial designs before grant submission, improving validity, feasibility, and capacity for impact. 
  • Extend methodological exposure for presenters and audience members — listening to and contributing to discussion on trial design is a powerful way to build experience and expertise. 
  • Build a community of practice among clinicians and researchers who propose, design, conduct, and report clinical trials, with an emphasis on trial science that transcends individual disease areas or disciplines. 

Who should present 

The forum is suited to investigators who have a trial in development and would benefit from methodological peer review prior to funding application. Investigators are encouraged to submit an expression of interest via email to ctep-wa@curtin.edu.au.  

Upcoming Sessions

Wednesday 7 October 2026 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Register here.

Repurposing Probucol for Childhood Dementia: A Phase II Feasibility Study

Childhood dementia encompasses a group of rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorders that collectively affect more than 100 genetic conditions, with no approved disease-modifying therapies for most children. We propose a 52-week, investigator-initiated, open-label Phase II feasibility study evaluating oral probucol in children with genetically confirmed Batten disease, Niemann-Pick disease type C, Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS III) or Leigh syndrome. The primary objectives are to establish the feasibility of recruitment and retention, treatment adherence and the safety and tolerability of long-term probucol administration in this population, while collecting preliminary clinical, functional and biomarker data to inform future controlled studies.

Doors will open at 4:15pm, with the presentation and panel starting at 4:30, ending with a networking session to 6pm. Light refreshments provided.

Venue: McCusker Auditorium, at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, 6 Verdun St Nedlands WA (QEII Campus)

Online: An online livestream option is available for those who cannot attend in person. Select the ‘Online’ ticket type using the registration link above.