Moderna opens research hub in Melbourne 

Biotechnology company Moderna has opened another research establishment and local headquarters in Melbourne, fully expecting the appearance of its mRNA manufacturing office one year from now. 

“The establishment of Moderna’s Research Centre and headquarters in Victoria sends a strong signal to the world that we are global leaders in mRNA research and development – driving innovation to change lives and create jobs for years into the future,” said State industry minister Ben Carroll. 

The first coordinated effort for the research centre is a $3 Million Quantitative Pharmacology Accelerator with the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) in the city of Parkville. 

Last year, the Commonwealth and Victorian government joined a multi-billion-dollar arrangement with Moderna to start manufacturing mRNA immunisations locally in what will be the main mRNA production facility to be located on university grounds and the first of its kind outside North America. 

The “Monash-Moderna Quantitative Pharmacology Gas pedal” will assist with speeding up the improvement of mRNA medications for infections “by using advanced computer models to predict the effects of treatments” and is anticipated to be the “first of many collaborations with Victorian research institutes”. 

Around 60% of Australia’s pharmaceutical export develop from Victoria, making it the state’s most high-value advanced manufactured trade, the state government said. 

The beginning of development for Moderna’s mRNA vaccine manufacturing office in Clayton was declared by Monash in December last year. 

The office is situated in neighbouring Clayton and is under development. It will be equipped for creating 100 million immunisation dosages every year.