Since global development of vaccines for COVID-19 became a reality, we in Australia have identified the critical value of producing vaccines onshore. That goal first became a reality with the AstraZeneca vaccine being produced in Melbourne by CSL. However, as we are now all aware, production of mRNA vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) could not be achieved so easily.
Recently the Victorian Government provided Monash University with $5million to manufacture the first batch of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in Australia, to be used for clinical trials (utilising a vaccine candidate developed by researchers from the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences). The team conducting this research is lead by CPTT chief investigator, Professor Colin Pouton.
Colin has been interviewed and quoted in many news articles and reports, especially in the last few months. However, we would like to draw your attention to a specific Opinion article Prof Pouton published in June in The Age newspaper titled ‘Australia set to join the mRNA vaccine revolution‘. Congratulations to Colin for bringing attention to the need for Australia to develop the manufacturing capabilities for production of medical and therapeutic technologies!
