Construction starts on RNA research and manufacturing facility for NSW

Delivered with a $96 million investment by the NSW Government, the facility will be the first of its type in Australia and one of only a handful of its kind in the world.

It will deliver new capabilities to develop world leading vaccines and medical therapies for humans and animals based on cutting edge RNA technology.

Co-located at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal campus, it will feed into the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District, home to a host of medical and health-related organisations and industrial and technology startups.

The site will allow a wide range of RNA vaccines, therapeutics and delivery technologies to be independently designed and tested, providing NSW with sovereign capability. The facility will also have the capacity to manufacture RNA-based therapeutics for the three main phases of clinical trials.

Support for the state’s burgeoning health and life sciences sector is a priority with NSW already the national leader as global demand for new health technology explodes.

Around 90,000 people are already employed in the sector in NSW, which represents 40 per cent of the national total.

RNA technology came to global prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it supported the rapid development and deployment of vaccines to combat the unprecedented health crisis.

The technology offers the prospect of preventing and treating an even broader spectrum of health conditions, including cancers, genetic diseases and other viruses.

The facility will feature laboratories along with manufacturing production lines and will be able to be used by researchers and industry. It will be operated by Aurora Biosynthetics, a subsidiary of Myeloid Therapeutics, a global leader in RNA technology.

It will be overseen by RNA Australia, a newly formed, NSW-based company, which is a joint venture between the NSW Government and four NSW universities, including Macquarie University, along with ANU.

Construction of the RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility is expected to be completed in 2026.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“This facility will drive jobs and investment in this sector, along with delivering potentially life-saving solutions.

“This a step forward for healthcare in NSW and an opportunity for us to grow important new high-tech companies.”

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This facility helps put us at the front of the queue in the fierce global battle to attract new investment and build new industries.

“Nations around the world are crying out for new health solutions, and our state is well positioned to deliver them.

“The capabilities this facility unlocks are supported by the NSW Government’s commitment to $119 million of investment in RNA research and development over the next decade.”

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said:

“This facility will link NSW’s world-class RNA and delivery technology research with our outstanding clinical trials capability.

“It will build on existing NSW Government investments, including the NSW RNA Production & Research Network, the UNSW RNA Institute and Australia’s first Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility at Westmead Health and Innovation District.”

Macquarie University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Sakkie Pretorius, said:

“Macquarie University is proud to host this groundbreaking new facility, which is a significant addition to the thriving medical precinct within the Connect Macquarie Park Innovation District.

“RNA research has incredible potential, and we share in RNA Australia’s vision for advancing biomedical science for the benefit of Australia and the world.”