Victoria supporting a new mRNA manufacturing facility

The Victorian Government has announced it is investing to boost Victoria’s clinical mRNA manufacturing capability.

Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson has officially opened BioNTech’s research and development mRNA manufacturing facility and attended a topping out ceremony of BioNTech’s neighbouring clinical mRNA manufacturing facility.

"This is a pivotal moment for Victoria as we advance our capacity to deliver cutting-edge mRNA treatments to patients faster than ever before,” he said. “Being the only place in the world to host both mRNA global leaders [BioNTech and Moderna] shows that Victoria is leading the future of medical innovation.”

The BioNTech R&D manufacturing facility will produce research‍-‍grade RNA to accelerate the translation of research into clinical use, while the clinical mRNA manufacturing facility will deliver next-generation mRNA vaccines and treatments for clinical trials.

Both of the facilities are located at La Trobe University’s Bundoora Campus and will support research and development of various diseases, including infectious diseases, rare diseases and cancer, supporting the translation of research into medical breakthroughs. The R&D manufacturing facility will partner with researchers and biotech companies from across Australia, the Asia–Pacific region and globally to accelerate the translation of research into clinical use.

The BioNTech clinical mRNA manufacturing facility, set to be completed by the end of 2026, is an anchor tenant of La Trobe University’s $5 billion University City precinct at Bundoora.

“The opening of our R&D facility and the construction of our clinical mRNA manufacturing facility demonstrate BioNTech’s commitment to turning innovative science into meaningful treatments for patients,” said BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting. “By collaborating with Victoria’s strong life sciences sector, we are building the infrastructure needed to support clinical trials and advance the development of mRNA-based medicines.”

These advancements follow the opening of BioNTech’s Innovation Centre in Melbourne last year and the launch of a new Clinical Trial Oncology Platform that is improving access to certain next-generation investigational cancer treatments.

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