OUR UNRIVALLED INNOVATIVE RESEARCH

The scope of the research conducted at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) covers everything from lab bench discoveries to bedside treatments. Laboratory, clinical and translational research is used to bridge the gap between the use of complementary and integrative medicines and our understanding of how they work. Our research in Australia is unrivalled, having been rated “well above world standard” by the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) process.

NICM has been recognised as Australia’s leading research institution in the field of Alternative and Traditional Medicine in The Australian's 2024 Research Magazine. This prestigious annual magazine celebrates Australian research excellence, ranking the top researchers and institutions in Australia in 250 research fields. NICM has received accolades in the magazine in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023.

This recognition reaffirms NICM’s position at the forefront of integrative and traditional medicine research, contributing to evidence-based healthcare solutions that address global health challenges and deliver tangible benefits to society. It reflects the Institute’s ongoing commitment to scientific rigour, meaningful collaboration, and leadership in advancing complementary medicine research in Australia and beyond.

OUR ARMS OF RESEARCH

PRECLINICAL

NICM’s preclinical laboratory research focuses on the identification, bioactivity and mechanisms of action of herbal medicines, and herb-drug interactions. We place strong emphasis on quality assurance through the authentication of the botanical identity of raw herbs, identification and quantification of their bioactive constituents, and characterisation of their genetic properties through DNA fingerprinting. Our work includes extraction, isolation and quantification of herbal biomarkers, as well as the development of analytical methods, for quality control of complex herbal formulations and stability testing.

We investigate herb-drug interactions, conduct preclinical bioactivity and pharmacokinetic studies, explore the molecular mechanism of the pharmacological effects of herbal medicines, and examine the role of microbiome on human health.

Our efforts are further supported by a newly established, state-of-the-art, small-scale GMP facility, integrated with Natural Product Research and Development capabilities. This infrastructure enables natural product development, clinical trial medicine production, market testing for SMEs, and GMP training for the workforce.

CLINICAL

NICM is Australia’s leading clinical trials facility in integrative medicine. Our world-class interdisciplinary researchers provide leadership in clinical research, with a strong track record of delivering high-quality Phase II and III trials published in leading international medical journals.

NICM HRI conducts rigorous trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a wide range of complementary medicine interventions—including herbal medicine, medicinal cannabis, yoga, tai chi, and lifestyle medicine—for health conditions such as vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression, eating disorders, infertility, endometriosis, menopause, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and cancer-related symptoms such as fatigue and lymphedema.

We have established an extensive clinical trial recruitment network across hospitals, medical specialist clinics, general practitioners, pharmacists, and community partners. In addition, NICM HRI offers full Contract Research Organisation (CRO) services, including protocol development and trial design. Find out more about NICM HRI’s current clinical trials.

TRANSLATIONAL

NICM conducts research that demonstrates the value of integrative and complementary medicine interventions to the broader community. NICM HRI undertakes policy-focused studies addressing key issues related to integrative and complementary medicine in Australia.

Our policy and evidence translation capabilities underpin NICM’s national and international advocacy efforts. We are committed to supporting the safe and effective practice of integrative medicine, working in partnership with government departments, regulatory agencies, industry associations, and other stakeholders to promote appropriate oversight and regulation of integrative therapies and clinical practices.

Through Western Sydney Integrative Health, NICM delivers clinical services and hosts research trials that integrate selected complementary treatments—such as acupuncture and herbal medicine—within conventional healthcare models.

NICM also provides translational and policy research services to support the regulation and responsible use of complementary medicines. These include the development of safety monographs, scientific evidence summaries, gap analyses for regulatory submissions, regulatory guidance for product registration, and cost-effectiveness studies of integrative health interventions.

OUR FIVE MAIN THERAPEUTIC AREAS OF INTEREST

We focus on critical, high-burden health challenges, including:

• Cardiovascular and metabolic health (e.g., diabetes, stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rehabilitation)
• Neurodegenerative diseases and mental health (e.g., dementia, mild cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression)
• Women’s health (e.g., endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, PCOS, menopause and infertility)
• Cancer management and recovery (e.g., using complementary medicine interventions to manage side effects of chemo- and radiotherapies, and to improve wellbeing and quality life for people living with cancer)