Moderna is in a partnership with Monash University to fast-track mRNA medicines.
Global biotechnology giant Moderna has opened its regional research centre and headquarters in Melbourne, the first step of its collaboration with the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The Moderna Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases will work with MIPS on a $3 million “quantitative pharmacology accelerator”, designed to fast-track the development of mRNA medicines by using advanced computer models to predict the effects of treatments.
The accelerator is the first in what is expected to be a series of collaborative projects with various medical research institutes in Victoria, a partnership that includes a $12.3 million investment by the state government.
The research centre sits alongside Moderna’s new headquarters for Australia, New Zealand, southeast Asia and Oceania. Both are part of Moderna’s investment in Victoria, with its mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Clayton under construction. Once complete the facility will be capable of producing 100 million vaccine doses annually.
“By being embedded within a world-leading research and clinician community, we see huge potential in being able to innovate and accelerate life-changing mRNA medicines to patients, together,” said Dr Craig Rayner, director of Moderna’s Asia-Pacific Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases.
Doron Ben-Meir, Monash University’s deputy vice-chancellor for enterprise and engagement said:
“This partnership complements Monash’s ever-evolving RNA and quantitative pharmacology ecosystem, which continues to play a significant role in placing Australia at the forefront of drug discovery, development and innovation in new medicines for a broad range of diseases.”
