Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson and BioNTech’s Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting visited La Trobe University on 17 November to mark the progress in the developments.
The investment at La Trobe, backed by the State Government, boosts Victoria’s clinical mRNA manufacturing capability, reinforcing the state’s position as a leader in next-generation vaccine and therapeutic development.
La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said he was delighted to welcome BioNTech to La Trobe’s innovation precinct, days after the launch of the $5 billion University City masterplan.
“As a university highly invested in health research as well as AI and digital innovation, La Trobe is the perfect location for BioNTech’s mRNA facilities,” Professor Farrell said.
“The University City innovation precinct is where groundbreaking research and developments in mRNA vaccines and therapies will connect with La Trobe’s world-leading expertise in AI and health via our Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI).”
The BioNTech R&D Facility will produce research-grade RNA, while the clinical mRNA manufacturing facility, once operational, is designed to deliver next-generation mRNA vaccines and treatments for clinical trials conducted by BioNTech and third parties. The facilities are intended to support research and development in the context of various diseases, including infectious diseases, rare diseases and cancer, supporting the translation of research into medical breakthroughs.
The R&D 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 University City.
The facility is a key component of BioNTech's strategic partnership with the Victorian Government, through mRNA Victoria.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson said the topping-out marked a pivotal moment for Victoria.
"Victoria's medical research sector is thriving, and these world-class facilities will bring researchers, clinicians and industry partners together to deliver life -changing innovations in healthcare,” Minister Pearson said.
BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting said the opening of the R&D Facility and construction of the clinical mRNA manufacturing facility demonstrated BioNTech’s commitment to turning innovative science into meaningful treatments for patients.
“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," Dr Poetting said.
"Today’s event marks an important step toward fostering medical innovation in the region.”
BioNTech’s La Trobe facility was first announced in 2023. It follows the launch of the new Australian Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Innovation (ACAMI) in September and the switching on of La Trobe’s NVIDIA DGX H200 supercomputer - the first in Australia’s tertiary sector - in July.
Media enquiries
Robyn Grace – r.grace@latrobe.edu.au, 0420 826 595 | Claire Bowers – c.bowers@latrobe.edu.au, 0437 279 903
Photo caption (L to R): Phoebe Dunn, CEO mRNA Victoria; Professor Theo Farrell, Vice-Chancellor La Trobe University; Hon Danny Pearson MP, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs; Dr Sierk Poetting, Chief Operating Officer, BioNTech; Dr David Sparling, Site Head Australia, BioNTech
