Early-phase biotechs are increasingly choosing Australia as the destination for their clinical trials and Avance Clinical is leading the way. With 52% of Australia’s active Phase I trials conducted through Avance, the company has become a powerhouse for accelerating biotech innovation. Meanwhile, Utah’s biotech scene is thriving, but many companies face hurdles in funding, approvals, and patient access.
That’s where Cameron Mealey, Director of Business Development at Avance Clinical, comes in. For anyone stuck in the clinical trial freeze, he’s a go-to resource for information, connections, and support.
The benefits Australia provides to biotechs doing Phase I clinical trials are making the country one of the top trial destinations in the world, setting a new global standard for accelerating biotech breakthroughs.
The country’s regulatory frameworks are designed for speed and efficiency, allowing processes, such as IND filing, that might take months in the U.S. to be completed in just weeks.
It can take twice as long to complete trials in the U.S. as well as be significantly more expensive.
Australia’s 43.5% R&D tax incentive provides cash rebates even before revenue is generated, helping companies reinvest in innovation faster.
Clinical data from Australian trials is recognized by major global regulators, including the EMA and FDA.
Q&A with Cameron
Q: Is there value working with you if we have to do all or some of our trials in the U.S.?
A: Absolutely. Even if your study is U.S.-only, there’s tremendous value in partnering with Avance Clinical. One of the things we hear most often from biotech sponsors is how much they appreciate working with a CRO that genuinely prioritizes partnership over process.
At Avance, that means continuity, access, and accountability — the same functional leads who oversee your early work stay engaged through later phases, and our senior leadership remains directly involved. You’re never just another project in the pipeline; you’re a program we care deeply about from the top down.
Our North American operations are robust, agile, and integrated with the strength of our Australian foundation. That connection allows us to apply the same speed, flexibility, and scientific rigor that make Australia’s research environment world-class — even when the work happens exclusively in the U.S.
When things need to move quickly or adapt, our team meets you where you are and helps get you where you need to be. That’s the essence of the Avance approach — real partnership, measurable impact, and unwavering commitment to biotech success.
Q: If we partner with you, how much support do we get? Is the support in house or out-sourced?
A: At Avance Clinical, all of our CRO services are delivered in-house, ensuring full accountability and consistency across every project. Your Project Management & Clinical Management, Pharmacovigilance, Data management, Scientific/Regulatory & Medical Affairs, Biostatistics, Medical Writing and Business Development teams are all part of our dedicated Avance staff — not contractors.
We partner with several Central and BioA labs that we have on-going trials at any given time and have regular governance meetings with. Our partner labs operate as extensions of our team, with oversight and accountability remaining squarely with Avance.
With a team of approximately 400 FTEs, we’re large enough to deliver global-quality capabilities, yet agile enough to adapt quickly to the evolving needs of biotech sponsors. You’ll have direct access to your project team, regular weekly teleconferences, and an open line to Avance’s executive leadership. And as your BD contact, I stay involved throughout the life of the project to ensure continuity and responsiveness at every stage.
When you partner with Avance, you’re supported by a team that’s nimble, connected, and fully invested in your success — not a layered bureaucracy.
Q: Is there value in working with you if we are past our 1st phase?
A: Yes. Whether you’ve completed your first-in-human study or are already advancing into later phases, Avance Clinical provides meaningful value through team continuity, operational consistency, and global expertise.
For programs that began with us in Phase 1, the same functional leads and project teams often continue into Phase 2 — maintaining established relationships, communication flow, and institutional knowledge. That continuity translates to faster onboarding, fewer handoffs, and greater efficiency.
If you’ve already completed your Phase 1 elsewhere, we can integrate seamlessly as your Phase 2 partner. With operations across the U.S., Australia, South Korea, Taiwan and select global regions, we bring both local insight and international leverage — from regulatory navigation to efficient study startup.
Our growing presence in Australia, US and areas of Asia Pacific gives sponsors the advantage of scale and flexibility throughout their development journey — ensuring that every phase benefits from the same attention to quality, speed, and partnership that defines Avance.