The Victorian government is continuing its commitment to boosting mRNA in a new collaboration with the state’s biggest research institutions, a first-of-its-kind partnership in the sector.
The partnership will establish the Victorian mRNA Innovation Hub (VMIH) with Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, and Monash University.
The hub is aimed at advancing the technologies involved in mRNA vaccines and therapeutics production. It also intends to help current and future mRNA researchers develop further innovations in the field.
The state’s labour department has contributed $5.4 million through the mRNA Victoria Activation Program towards the $9.1 million project, which will support a total of 27 Victorian researchers.
According to a press release issued by the Victorian government, mRNA technology has a wide variety of potential applications across a range of diseases and conditions, such as HIV, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.
The $21 million mRNA Victoria Activation Program is part of the government’s $50 million investment to build a world-class mRNA industry in Victoria.
“This world-first collaboration between researchers in Victoria has the potential to create major breakthroughs in RNA-based medical treatments,” said Jaala Pulford, minister for innovation, medical research and digital economy.
“Victoria has proven itself to be the home of mRNA in the southern hemisphere and this Hub will only lead to more improved health outcomes and jobs.”
Since 2014, the state government has invested over $1.3 billion in medical research and has helped create more than 100,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs in the state’s biotech sector.
