Victoria is strengthening its ambitions to become a global centre for mRNA vaccine manufacturing, with new BioNTech facilities in Melbourne expected to support research, development and future medical innovation while creating jobs across the state’s biotechnology sector.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Steve Dimopoulos visited BioNTech’s Bundoora site this week to mark the installation of two BioNTainer units, modular and portable laboratories designed to manufacture investigational vaccines and treatments on a smaller scale for research and development purposes.
The Victorian Government says the project could support up to 1,200 jobs across the broader industry over the next decade as the state’s life sciences sector continues to expand.
Victoria already hosts two of the world’s leading mRNA vaccine developers, BioNTech and Moderna. The new BioNTainer units place Melbourne among a small number of locations globally with access to the technology, which was first developed in Germany.
The laboratories will allow researchers and biotechnology companies to collaborate with BioNTech on the development of potential new medicines, including cancer therapies and vaccines targeting emerging diseases.
The two units have been named Wirrarap and Boordup, terms from the Woi wurrung language. Wirrarap refers to a medicine man, faith and spirit healer, while Boordup means a source or place of comfort.
Located within La Trobe University’s $5 billion University City precinct in Bundoora, the facility forms part of BioNTech’s partnership with the Victorian Government and adds to efforts to build advanced manufacturing and medical research capabilities in the state.
Mr Dimopoulos said Victoria was positioning itself to manufacture the vaccines of the future while creating employment opportunities in Melbourne.
“Every dollar invested in medical research attracts business and drives economic growth,” he said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll said the facilities would help move scientific discoveries closer to clinical applications.
“These facilities don’t just support research, they accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to life-saving treatments,” he said.
BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting said the BioNTainer units were intended to strengthen the local mRNA ecosystem by providing small-scale manufacturing capacity focused on research and development.
He said the facilities would serve as a resource for local partners and help expand innovation, accelerate development and build regional capabilities.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell described the installation as an important milestone in the development of the University’s innovation precinct.
He said the University City project was designed to bring together researchers, industry and government partners to create new opportunities for collaboration and medical innovation.
The announcement comes as governments around the world continue investing in sovereign vaccine manufacturing and biotechnology capabilities following lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Victoria’s growing concentration of mRNA research and production facilities is expected to strengthen its position within Australia’s biomedical sector, although competition for investment and skilled workers remains strong internationally.
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