Moderna has signed an agreement in principle with the Government of Australia to build a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine manufacturing plant in Victoria.

According to the US biotech company, the planned framework will lay the foundation to help Australia get direct access to rapid response capabilities to pandemics as well as to gain access to Moderna’s vaccines that are being developed for respiratory viruses.

Stéphane Bancel — CEO of Moderna, commenting on the mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Victoria, said: “I would like to thank the Australian and Victorian Governments for their collaboration and partnership.

“We are committed to global public health and while we are still responding to this pandemic, we also want to ensure we and society learn from it. As Moderna expands internationally, we are pleased to bring local mRNA manufacturing to Australia.

“We believe that this sustainable national business model will have global impact and implications.”

Moderna will collaborate with the Australian and the Victorian governments to invest in a vaccine manufacturing facility for producing mRNA. The objective of the collaboration is to give Australians the access to a domestically produced portfolio of mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses such as Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), seasonal influenza, and potential other vaccines, subject to obtaining licensure.

The US biotech company estimates to produce up to 100 million vaccine doses per year in Australia. The proposed mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Victoria is planned to be also activated on an urgent basis to support the country with direct access to rapid response capabilities to the pandemic, said Moderna.

Commenting on the mRNA vaccine manufacturing plant in Victoria, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: “This investment will continue to secure Australia’s future economic prosperity while protecting lives by providing access to world-leading mRNA vaccines made on Australian soil.

“The new mRNA manufacturing facility in Victoria will produce respiratory vaccines for potential future pandemics and seasonal health issues such as the common flu, protecting lives and livelihoods.”

Recently, Moderna revealed plans to invest up to $500 million to build an mRNA facility in Africa with an aim to produce up to 500 million doses of vaccines per year at the 50 µg dose level.

  Australia, COVID-19, Moderna, mRNA, Scott Morrison, Stéphane Bancel, Vaccines, Victoria