SA in vaccine manufacturing race
May 14, 2021
Published in InDaily
Excerpts copied below. Read the full article in InDaily at the link at the bottom of the page.
“The race to secure COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing in South Australia is heating up as the federal government prepares to make an approach to market for a local mRNA manufacturing plant in the next two weeks.
The Commonwealth is backing a second COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plant in Australia to shore up supplies, with pressure mounting on the State Government to ensure an Adelaide plant wins the contract.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said an approach to market would be launched within the next 10 days for companies to locally produce mRNA vaccines, such as those produced by Pfizer and Moderna.”
“It comes after revelations on Wednesday that biotech firm BioCina believes it can start manufacturing advanced mRNA COVID-19 vaccines at an Adelaide facility ‘within 12 months’.
The biologics contract development and manufacturing firm owns a 4600 square metre facility in Thebarton which it says is ‘the most advanced facility of its kind in Australia.’
Premier Steven Marshall has already floated the proposal to Finance Minister Simon Birmingham, and the biotech firm has been in discussions with the federal health department according to the SA Senator.”
“The SA Labor Party is calling for an ‘aggressive’ push for South Australia to secure the rights for local mRNA vaccine production.
‘Having vaccine manufactured locally in South Australia would provide vaccine security, avoid global supply chain issues and create a more robust defence against future pandemics,’ Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton said.”
