Startups join CSL, Moderna in local mRNA vaccine manufacturing push

Australian biotech startups and small businesses have joined pharmaceutical majors like CSL in pitching to the federal government for a role in making mRNA products in the country, reported The Age.

The government asked Australian biotechs to submit blueprints for how they would make products using technology like that used to make Pfizer and Moderna's coronavirus vaccines onshore, and 12 of them, including CSL, responded with pitches by the deadline.

Queensland-based pharmaceuticals maker Luina Bio and research biotech Servatus both confirmed that they have made pitches to the government as well, as has Melbourne firm IDT Australia.

The government has not publicly shared how much funding is on offer to establish a local manufacturing facility, but it asked companies to pitch an "end-to-end" plan for making products, which included full costings for their projects.

Lorna Meldrum, vice president pandemic readiness at CSL's vaccine arm Seqirus, said CSL was actively considering mRNA manufacturing options and was keen to be part of the conversation about local manufacturing, but the process is expected to be a lengthy one.

"Capacity like this can't be set up overnight. It takes time and investment and CSL's track record in pandemic preparedness and vaccine manufacturing puts us in good stead to be part of the future in Australia," she said.