Brisbane biomanufacturing hub signs its first tenant

The Translational Research Institute (TRI) has announced that global healthcare company Sanofi will be the first tenant in its new facility, ENTRI, which is nearing completion in Brisbane.

Sanofi’s presence at ENTRI is part of an expansion for the Translational Science Hub, which connects researchers with the company’s scientists in France and the US. The TRI says Sanofi’s presence will help stimulate the local biomedical sector through its expertise in product development, clinical research and commercialisation.

TRI CEO Professor Maher Gandhi said Sanofi’s willingness to sign up to ENTRI sends an important message to the global biotech community.

“Sanofi’s commitment to ENTRI represents a ringing endorsement of the facility and, importantly, an affirmation of our vision for a complete translational pathway from discovery, all the way through to manufacturing products to undertake clinical trials for the benefit of patients,” he said. “ENTRI is the key to achieving this by helping to remove barriers to entry for biotech companies and Sanofi’s presence will add enormous value to that vision.”

Sanofi is a partner of the Translational Science Hub, together with The University of Queensland, Griffith University and the Queensland Government. The Hub is a global scientific community focused on new medical innovations to improve public health.

Sanofi’s Head of the Translational Science Hub, Professor Cameron Simmons, said its tenancy at ENTRI signalled the company’s commitment to Queensland and Australia.

“Our decision to establish a presence at ENTRI demonstrates Sanofi’s long-term commitment to Queensland and Australia,” he said. “Through the Translational Science Hub, we aim to foster collaboration between global and local experts, creating a scientific community focused on new medical technology and translational science.”

Gandhi said ENTRI is due to open in early 2026, providing dedicated access to cGMP cleanrooms, wet labs, and office and collaboration space for maturing companies to manufacture products for all phases of clinical trials.

“Among my ambitions for TRI is to see in-house clinical trials being conducted from therapeutics and medical devices that have been discovered and developed here,” he said. “ENTRI is a major step towards that vision, enabling translation of research from the bench to the bedside by manufacturing products for clinical trials right here in Queensland.”

Image: Artist’s impression of the ENTRI facility. Source: Translational Science Hub