The new centre for emerging vaccine research is scheduled to be up and running by next year.
The University of Queensland has partnered with Emory University to establish a state-of-the-art vaccine research hub, set to be operational by 2025.
The $32 million project, based out of University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, will offer “high-end” technological infrastructure and laboratories to facilitate the production of novel vaccine therapies, as well as cold storage and consumables storage facilities, sterilisation and glass-washing stations and meeting and office spaces.
Potential vaccine candidates developed through the hub will also be transferred to global healthcare company Sanofi or nearby biomedical research centres such as the Translational Research Institute for further testing and development, the announcement said.
More than 80 researchers would be employed to work at the Queensland Emory Vaccine Centre, according to UQ vice chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC, with construction due to begin by the end of the year.
- This article was first published by Health Services Daily. Read the original here, or subscribe here.
“The QEVC will house more than 80 researchers and create over 20 direct jobs, provide new teaching and learning opportunities to boost Queensland’s skills pipeline and help to attract and retain talent,” Professor Terry said.
“Other research institutions and the biotech sector will be able to take advantage of the new facilities with the focus to ensure a robust pipeline of vaccines and therapeutics moving from discovery to commercialisation.”
Emory University, a privately-owned research university based in Georgia, is one of several leading research providers to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the announcement.
Funding for the project was provided through the Queensland government’s $415 million Industry Partnership Program, designed to boost local job opportunities and address supply chain gaps across multiple industries.
