The capability of Melbourne, Victoria’s world-class medical research sector is increasing with the Victorian Government investing in a world-first Victorian platform to fast-track the development of vaccines and therapeutic treatments by safely testing their effectiveness and side effects.
Dr Natália Sampaio in the RNAte laboratory - Credit: Hudson Institute of Medical Research
Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas today announced the Victorian Government’s investment in the RNAte platform developed by the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, based at the Monash Medical Precinct.
Hudson Institute’s novel technology can test mRNA/RNA candidate therapeutics and vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical stages of development to predict their efficacy and potential inflammatory side effects, creating the opportunity to fast-track treatment for emerging or existing diseases.
In addition to protecting against future pandemics and diseases, investing in the RNAte platform provides security for the development of treatments in Australia, strengthening the Victorian mRNA manufacturing sector which will soon be the only place in the Southern Hemisphere making mRNA vaccines.
The RNAte platform will also establish a unique and critical capability in Victoria’s mRNA/RNA industry that will attract international biotech customers, boosting sector growth and solidifying the state’s status as a key player in the global mRNA ecosystem.
The investment is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to boost the economy by driving innovation and securing our supply chains.
The new investment follows the Government’s recent announcement that global biotechnology giant BioNTech will be establishing a new research and clinical scale manufacturing facility in Melbourne, supporting the development of next-generation mRNA treatments and vaccines.
With Moderna already building a major manufacturing and research hub in Victoria, the state will soon become the only place in the world where both mRNA leaders host R&D and manufacturing operations.
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