The development of an anti-Hendra virus treatment by Queensland researchers has opened the door for them to work on other global diseases with US colleagues.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday met with researcher Dr Dimiter Dimitrov from the National Institutes of Health during her US trade mission to discuss an ongoing relationship with Queensland scientists.
Dr Dimitrov was a co-developer of the monoclonal antibody for Hendra virus, launched in April, which has been approved for human trials in Queensland.
The work of Queensland scientists in further progressing the treatment fuelled discussions about other emerging diseases, including Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
The virus has caused seven deaths in South Korea and seen 1800 schools shut and more than 2500 people quarantined.
"Being in the tropical part of the world ... means that we can have greater access to these markets and understand these issues a lot faster than some other countries," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"I'm very confident that Queensland is laying the groundwork to be world leaders in this field."
The relationship with US experts allowed Queensland researchers to collaborate and expand their knowledge, Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Hendra trial illustrated the importance of such collaboration, Queensland's chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said.
"While we have had no on-shore cases of MERS in Australia, it is a serious and infectious disease," she said.
"Australia's proximity to the region means we need to be prepared, and Queensland is prepared to take a leading role in doing that."
There have been 52 cases of Hendra - 38 in Queensland and 14 in NSW - since 1994, killing four of the seven Queenslanders who contracted it.
The human trials came about after US researchers produced an antibody which, by chance, worked to combat Hendra and gave access to the results to their Australian colleagues.
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