Moderna, Inc., on Wednesday announced the finalization of a strategic partnership with the Australian Federal Government to establish a state-of-the-art, domestic mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Australia. This finalizes the agreement in principle with the Australian Federal Government announced in December 2021.
Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna said:
We are delighted to reach this milestone with the Australian Government and finalize our first on-shore manufacturing agreement. The Australian Federal Government has been a great partner, and we are pleased to expand this partnership to support Australia’s mRNA life sciences ecosystem and global public health.
The facility, when constructed, is expected to provide people in Australia with access to a domestically manufactured portfolio of mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other potential respiratory viruses, pending licensure.
As part of the strategic partnership, Moderna expects to support Australia’s mRNA research, development, and industry ecosystem, including engagement with collaborative research partnerships with Australian institutions and establishing a Regional Research Centre for respiratory medicines and tropical diseases.
Michael Azrak, Moderna’s General Manager Australia and New Zealand said:
Through this investment, Moderna is backing the development of a world-class mRNA industry in Australia. Australia has a strong, existing medical research ecosystem, and we look forward to complementing this with the ability to develop and produce new mRNA medicines.
Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, Moderna will develop and commission the facility in Melbourne, Victoria, and expects to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation. Construction is expected to commence before the end of 2022, with a target date of the end of 2024 for the facility to become operational, subject to planning and regulatory approvals.
Moderna’s mRNA pipeline includes 28 vaccine candidates, including vaccines against respiratory viruses, vaccines against latent viruses, and vaccines against threats to global public health.
