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The Andrews Labor Government is supporting the next generation of workers in the critical mRNA vaccine and medicine field – so more life-saving therapies can be discovered and manufactured in Victoria, cementing the state’s reputation as a leader in medical research.

The Labor Government is investing $10 million to operate the Monash Centre for Advanced mRNA Medicines Manufacturing and Workforce Training, which will provide highly specialised training to workers across all aspects of the mRNA manufacturing life cycle.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll today met with the Centre’s new Director Associate Professor Jennifer Short and future mRNA workers – who will provide Victoria’s sovereign mRNA manufacturing industry with the highly skilled workforce we need to produce the next generation of vaccines and medicines.

To make sure students have the advanced skills to meet industry needs, the Centre will be advised by a Scientific Advisory Group, including representatives from industry leaders, the CSIRO and the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The Centre – which will be the leading specialist mRNA training facility in the Asia Pacific – will train the future mRNA workforce, putting Victoria at the forefront of the region’s vaccine and medicine manufacturing.

Victoria has already led the development of mRNA technology in Australia, with Moderna’s mRNA Vaccine manufacturing facility in Clayton under construction – which once complete, will be capable of producing 100 million vaccine doses annually.

The Government has also reached an in-principle agreement with BioNTech to establish its Asia-Pacific mRNA clinical research and manufacturing centre in Melbourne.

Victoria is responsible for almost 60 per cent of Australia’s pharmaceutical exports – making it our highest-value advanced manufactured export.

The Labor Government has invested $1.3 billion in medical research since 2014 and helped create more than 100,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs in the state’s biotech sector.

As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews

“Victoria is already a world leader in medical research and mRNA technology – this Centre will make sure we can train the highly-skilled workers we need to deliver more lifesaving vaccines and medicines right here.”

As stated by Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll MP

“Victoria is leading the pack for mRNA research and manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific – that’s why we are proud to invest in training the next generation of workers for this critical sector.”

Quote attributableto Monash University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharon Pickering

“The Monash Centre for Advanced mRNA Manufacturing and Workforce Training will draw on Monash’s exceptional pool of biomedical talent to deliver best-practice education and training programs, and ultimately facilitate the development of life-saving vaccines and therapeutic treatments.”