Was this the mainstream media coverage we've been hoping for?Melbourne biotech to make mRNA vaccine in Australia
By Emma Koehn
October 13, 2021 — 4.45pmFor our free coronavirus pandemic coverage, learn more here.
The boss of the small Melbourne biotech that will help Monash University make doses of its mRNA COVID vaccine says Australia needs to learn from the vaccine rollout to ensure the nation has more manufacturers for future pandemics.
On Wednesday IDT Australia confirmed it had signed a manufacturing deal with Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences to complete doses of its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for use in trials.
“We have existing facilities which could potentially be deployed to manufacture mRNA vaccines,” says David Sparling, chief executive of pharmaceutical company IDT Australia.Credit:Wayne Taylor.
Australia had no ability to produce mRNA vaccines, such as the successful Pfizer and Moderna COVID vaccines, at the start of the pandemic and the government is still determining the best way to support making these at scale. Industry heavyweights have warned that local research and production of these products will take time and resources.
On Tuesday CSL chief executive Paul Perreault told this masthead the biotech giant would not be focusing its efforts on developing its own mRNA products for COVID-19, saying the business is looking beyond to other uses like influenza.
IDT Australia is tiny compared to biotech giant CSL, with a market capitalisation of just $142 million compared to CSL’s $134.2 billion. However, its chief executive David Sparling says the contract manufacturer can play a significant role in helping make mRNA products onshore, including for COVID.
“We’ve seen the challenges associated with [Australia’s] vaccine rollout have been primarily about our reliance on overseas supplies. Regardless of whether it’s an mRNA, protein, or [other] vaccine, we need more manufacturing here,” Dr Sparling said.
“We need to be able to make these ourselves - not just for this pandemic, but for future pandemics.”
The agreement with Monash is worth close to $2 million and will run from October until April 2022. The Monash team will give IDT the bulk drug substance needed for the vaccine, as well as lending the company certain specialist materials, so it can produce enough vials of the product ahead of trials.
Monash’s project has received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund and mRNA Victoria. It’s hoped the product will be able to be quickly adjusted for emerging variants of the virus, which could make it a valuable asset for Australia into the future.
Dr Sparling said his business wanted to help other mRNA researchers in bringing their products to market in the future too. “There is an awful lot of research being done - IDT sees this as a really good opportunity to step up and assist,” he said.
The company is among a range of pharmaceutical producers including CSL that have made pitches to the federal government for establishing an onshore manufacturing facility for mRNA vaccines.
The selection process is ongoing, and the government is also in discussions with Moderna about the possibility of it setting up local manufacturing in Australia.
IDT shares traded 4.2 per cent higher in early morning trade before settling flat at 59.5 cents by 3:30pm.
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