Research
Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus Treatment (FORMaT)
Finding the Optimal Regimen for Mycobacterium abscessus Treatment (FORMaT) Trial is an international, investigator-led, adaptive, multi-arm, platform clinical trial designed to find the best treatments for a rare but serious lung condition called Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease (MABS-PD).
Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) are a group of bacteria found in water and soil. These bacteria can cause damage to the lungs and make people unwell. Around the world, there is little scientific evidence on how best to treat MABS-PD. Currently, treatment can involve taking antibiotics for a year or longer, and it is not guaranteed that the bacteria will be gone from the lungs. The side-effects of the current treatment can make people feel very unwell. The current treatments used have also never been tested in clinical trials and are being used based on doctor's experience. Therefore, we don’t know how effective they are. As such, the FORMaT trial was developed to bring together internationally recognized experts and clinical leaders to address this critical medical challenge and aim to transform the treatment for MABS-PD.
Professor Claire Wainwright,
Chief Investigator
Professor Wainwright is a paediatric respiratory physician/scientist at the Queensland Children’s Hospital and Co-lead for Cystic Fibrosis (CF) services which provide state-wide specialist services for the largest CF cohort in Australia and globally one of the largest paediatric CF services. She is an international leader in her field as evidenced by publications, invited reviews and plenary presentations. Professor Wainwright conceived and established the FORMaT trial and is the principal investigator (PI). She has designed and led multiple clinical trials and collaborated extensively as a PI on national and international investigator-led trials and industry sponsored trials.
Professor Rachel Thomson
Dr Andrew Burke
Professor Scott Bell
Professor Keith Grimwood
Associate Professor Julia Clark
Professor Alan Smyth
Dr Tavs Qvist
Dr Helen Barr
Dr Michal Shteinberg
Dr Raya Cohen
Dr Jann Yuan Wang
Dr Stephanie Sujipto
Dr Louis Chai
Dr Natalie Lorent
Statistical Team:
Professor James Wason
Professor Katherine Lee
Xiaofang Wang
Sarah Al-Ashmori
Database team:
Luke Stevens
Sri Joshi
Genomics:
Christopher Coulter
Geraint Rogers
Steven Taylor
Josie Bryant
Medical Imaging:
Harm Tiddens
Daan Caudri
Punit Makani
Merlijn Bonte
Health Economics
Joshua Byrnes
Hansoo Kim
Lauren Ward
Discovery Lead Investigators:
Niels Hoiby
Tavs Qvist
Professor Jason Roberts
Dr Andrew Burke
Lachlan Coin
David Reid
Severine Navarro
Professor Peter Sly
Professor Matt Sweet
Susannah Ahern
Project Managers:
Kara Brady
Tiffany Jong
Daniel Hicks
Sub-Study Project Manager:
Felicia Goh
Senior Research Pharmacists:
Daniel Hicks
Megan Rice
Administration:
Nicholas Gailer, Data Manager
Kristy Wetherall, Business Services Coordinator
This research would not be possible without the generous donations from our partners and collaborators, including:
Partners
U.S. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
Cure 4 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Innoviva Specialty Therapeutics
Collaboration
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute
Pages
Contact us:
Lead Researcher: Professor Claire Wainwright
General Enquiries: FORMaT Project Manager
Email: formattrial@health.qld.gov.au
Website: https://formattrial.com
Trial Registration: ANZCTR Registration