Qld Govt in first-of-its-kind partnership with vaccine innovator to create $280m Translational Science Hub

Queensland is set to be propelled to the forefront vaccine development with a $280m partnership between the state government and one of the world’s largest vaccine innovators.

A multimillion-dollar investment has propelled Queensland to the forefront of vaccine development in Australia.

Sanofi, one of the world’s largest vaccine innovators, has partnered with the Queensland Government to inject $280 million into next generation mRNA vaccine research in Queensland.

The Translational Science Hub announced on Monday by Sanofi and the state government will link world-class researchers in Queensland with scientists at the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the US.

This will create a unique global vaccines research and development network focused on mRNA technology and translational science.

A lab technician at a Sanofi laboratory. (Photo by JOEL SAGET / AFP)

This first-of-its-kind partnership, which includes the University of Queensland and Griffith University, will place Queensland at the forefront of vaccine development and biomedical research in Australia.

The Translational Science Hub will initially focus on the evaluation of a new generation of mRNA vaccines and the development of a world-first mRNA vaccine for chlamydia, a sexually transmissible infection (STI) of increasing public health concern because of its association with infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, and pregnancy complications.

mRNA is expected to herald a new generation of vaccines that instruct certain cells to produce proteins that are recognised by the immune system to mount a defence.

“Queensland, Australia has some of the best researchers in the world, and the Translational Science Hub will give them the platform to develop lifesaving medicines and vaccines,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.

“The Hub will bring more expertise, supply-chain capabilities, as well as clinical investigations to Queensland.

“We’re proud one of the world’s largest healthcare companies has chosen Queensland to help reshape 21st century medicine.”

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Liam Kidston

Global Head of Vaccine Research and Development, Sanofi Dr Jean-Francois Toussaint said that the breakthrough investment demonstrates Sanofi’s commitment to exploring mRNA technology by applying the minds of the best and brightest scientists from around the world.

“The Translational Science Hub in Queensland will work closely with the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the US to accelerate a new era of vaccine innovation and disease prevention.”

Sanofi operates 20 research and development sites around the world exploring new medicines and vaccines.

This includes translational science, where researchers work to translate early observations in the laboratory into clinical results that directly benefit people.