Cerulea Clinical Trials

22/07/2026

Around 1,850 new clinical trials begin in Australia each year, yet many people don't realise they may be eligible to take part in one.

As our Chief Medical Officer Lyndell Lim told ABC News, clinical trials can give some people access to potential new treatments while helping researchers develop better care for future generations.

At Cerulea, we're conducting clinical trials for conditions including glaucoma, macular disease and many other eye conditions. Every study helps build the evidence needed to improve treatment options and outcomes for more people.

Read the ABC News article to learn more about the role clinical trials play in Australia and how people can get involved:

In his open letter to all Australians, the late Richard Scolyer wrote of the pride he felt taking part in clinical trials. But what exactly is it like to participate?

10/06/2026

At Cerulea Clinical Trials’ second anniversary, clinicians, researchers and participants came together to celebrate advances in vision care and the people who make it possible.

For participant Tom Valenta, the importance of clinical trials is deeply personal.

“My mother had glaucoma very seriously and was never able to drive. For the last 10 years of her life, she was nearly blind and therefore had poor quality of life,” he says.

“Fortunately, our GP was very proactive and referred me to an ophthalmologist about 30 years ago to keep me under scrutiny, and I was ultimately diagnosed in 2011.”

After several years of treatment controlling the condition, Tom’s ophthalmologist suggested he might be eligible for a clinical trial. Tom has now taken part in multiple trials and continues to volunteer.

“What I’ve learned over the years is that patients like me can make a difference, we can participate, add value and we can help further the cause," he says.

Cerulea Chief Medical Officer Professor Lyndell Lim says the contribution of participants like Tom is essential to advancing care.

“It’s only through research and clinical trials we can actually change things, find new treatments, do things better, so we can help more people at earlier stages of diseases.

“When I first started medicine, there were no treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration, which was the major cause of irreversible blindness here in Melbourne.

“Now we have treatments that let patients retain their vision, not only for reading but also for driving.”

Panel discussion (L-R): Professor Lim, Tom Valenta and Clinical Trial Coordinator Marinel Tuazon.

05/06/2026

✨ This Orthoptics Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the important role orthoptists play in advancing eye care and research. We spoke with Cerulea Clinical Trials Coordinator, Regina Callegher, about her journey and how orthoptists contribute to clinical trials and better outcomes for people living with eye disease.

➡️ How do you support clinical trials?

I work across a range of clinical trials investigating treatments for various eye conditions. I utilise my orthoptic skills as a visual acuity examiner and perform ophthalmic imaging for participants enrolled in studies evaluating new treatments for conditions such as diabetic macular oedema, wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), thyroid eye disease and geographic atrophy (dry AMD).

As a coordinator, I manage studies in thyroid eye disease and intermediate AMD. This involves recruiting and screening potential participants, ensuring trial protocols and visit schedules are followed, maintaining regulatory and ethics documentation, and supporting participants throughout their involvement.

➡️ What inspired you to become an orthoptist?

I have strabismus (an eye turn) and, as a child, was under the care of both an orthoptist and an ophthalmologist. These positive experiences, combined with a strong interest in biology and health sciences at school, inspired me to pursue orthoptics as a career.

➡️ How did you move into clinical research?

I first worked as an orthoptist in private practice and low vision services. I later decided to broaden my career by transitioning into clinical research and joined Cerulea (formerly CERA) five years ago. This role has allowed me to combine my clinical expertise with a passion for advancing new treatments and improving patient outcomes.

➡️ What skills do orthoptists bring to clinical trial teams?

Orthoptists bring a unique combination of clinical expertise and patient-centred care. We are skilled in performing visual acuity assessments, slit-lamp examinations and ophthalmic imaging, as well as assisting with procedures such as angiograms and intravitreal injections.

Our in-depth understanding of the visual system also enables us to educate participants about their eye conditions, treatment options and available care pathways.

In a research setting, these skills help ensure high-quality data collection while providing participants with confidence and support throughout their trial experience.

➡️ What do you find most rewarding about working in clinical trials?

The opportunity to build meaningful relationships with participants and supporting them throughout their research journey – while contributing to the development of potential new treatments.

It’s incredibly fulfilling to know the work we do today may help improve outcomes for people living with eye conditions in the future and contribute to advancing the standard of care. Being part of research with the potential to benefit future generations is something I find both motivating and rewarding.

20/05/2026

Today marks not only International Clinical Trials Day, but also two years of Cerulea Clinical Trials.

To celebrate, we brought together ophthalmologists, study coordinators and clinical trial participants to mark this milestone.

Our CEO, Dr Michelle Bradney, and Chief Medical Officer, Professor Lyndell Lim, shared their perspectives on the role of clinical trials. Study participant Tom Valenta also spoke about his experience and why clinical trials are so important.

We were pleased to welcome many new visitors to tour our facilities, gaining first-hand insight into how clinical trials are conducted and meeting the brilliant team at Cerulea, who are helping bring the biggest breakthroughs in research to patients as quickly as possible.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a behind-the-scenes look – and to everyone who made the day a success.



Photo 1 (L-R): Dr Bradney, Prof Lim, Tom Valenta, Clinical Research Coordinator Marinel Tuazon and Brett Mitsch, CIO of Breakthrough Victoria

06/05/2026

🗓️ In just two weeks, we're celebrating our 2nd birthday on World Clinical Trials Day – and you’re invited to a special behind-the-scenes look at Cerulea Clinical Trials.

Whether you’ve considered taking part in an ophthalmic study or you’re an eyecare professional wanting an inside perspective of how trials work, this free event is ideal for you.

There will be a panel discussion with clinical trial leaders, clinicians, study coordinators and participants – plus guided tours of our state-of-the-art facility.

🏥 Where: Level 7, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
🕛 When: Wednesday 20 May, 12:00–2:30pm
☕ Light refreshments provided.

Book now via the link in the comments to secure your place ⬇️

30/04/2026

For many people diagnosed with serious and complex eye conditions, “nothing can be done” was once the distressing response they heard.

Two years since opening, Cerulea Clinical Trials has been delivering Phase I–IV clinical trials across a range of eye diseases, working in areas where treatment options have been limited or, in some cases, did not previously exist.

During this time, Cerulea has supported trials for conditions including retinitis pigmentosa, uveitis, glaucoma, age‑related macular degeneration and rare inherited eye diseases – in close partnership with biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies – and alongside the people who stand to benefit from new treatments.

Continue reading as CEO Dr Michelle Bradney and Chief Medical Officer Professor Lyndell Lim reflect on Cerulea's two years of working to bring transformative treatments to Victorians (link in comments) ⬇️

20/04/2026

We’re turning two - and you’re invited!

To celebrate our second birthday and International Clinical Trials Day, join us for a behind-the-scenes look at how ophthalmic clinical trials really work and what it’s like to take part in eye research.

This free event is ideal for:
- Anyone who has ever considered joining an ophthalmic clinical research study
- Eyecare professionals interested in understanding clinical trials and the participant experience.

There will be a panel discussion with clinicians, study coordinators and trial participants, as well as guided tours of our state-of-the-art facility.

Where: Level 7, The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
When: Wednesday 20 May, 12:00–2:30pm
Light refreshments provided.

Tickets are free, but registrations are essential.

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/cerulea-clinical-trials-tour

23/02/2026

👁️‍🗨️📻 The Hope in Sight audio library series features the voices and stories of people who've been involved in research at Cerulea Clinical Trials and the Centre for Eye Research Australia.

In epsisode 1, Trish, a New Zealander living in Australia with Usher syndrome, shares her journey from initial diagnosis to participating in medical research.

Trish was initially reluctant to participate in medical research due to her past experiences, but her involvement in clinical trials has provided her with a sense of control and hope.

LIsten to Trish talk about her supportive community, and the positive impact of research on her life and broader Usher syndrome community (link in comments).

Pictured: A clinical trial coordinator scans the eyes of a participant.

24/12/2025

✨ As 2025 draws to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, sponsors, investigators and incredible trial participants who have made this year a success. Together, we're continuing to advance ophthalmic research and bringing hope closer to people living with vision loss. ✨

From everyone at Cerulea Clinical Trials, we wish you and your loved ones a happy festive season! Here's to an exciting new year with groundbreaking trials, new partnerships and continued progress in eye care.

Our office will be closed from today, 24 December, and will reopen on Monday, 5 January. We look forward to continuing our important work together in 2026!

Pictured: Members of the Cerulea team standing together at the 2025 Vision Expo.

03/12/2025

According to Vision Australia, around 18% of Australian adults experience print disability. Difficulty reading and understanding print can be associated with impacts to vision, learning and physical abilities. Accessible information is important and offering information in different formats to meet differing needs is the goal at CERA and Cerulea Clinical Trials.

The Hope in Sight audio library series has been developed by CERA Consumer Advisory Lead Fleur O’Hare and Knowable Me Managing Director Kelly Schulz to help prepare people for what's it's like to participate in a clinical trial.

This International Day of People with Disability, visit our consumer resources page to hear from eight individuals about their journey with research and hope for the future: https://ow.ly/LFVG50XB56K

Pictured: Clinical trials volunteer Tom Valenta OAM and Dr Flora Hui, CERA Research Fellow