High-tech vaccine plant opens in Melbourne

Australia’s sovereign vaccine manufacturing capability has been given a major boost with the opening of the Southern Hemisphere’s first cell-based vaccine manufacturing facility in Victoria.
 
The plant is a world-class facility, and the product of a strong commitment from the Australian Government, CSL Seqirus and the Victorian Government to protecting Australia’s health security.
 
The new CSL Seqirus facility will be able to supply Australia with critical health products, including pandemic and seasonal influenza vaccines, lifesaving antivenoms and Q-Fever vaccines.
 
The Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, Mark Butler and Victoria’s Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson officially launched the new manufacturing plant today.
 
The $1 billion, 10-year agreement between the Australian Government and Seqirus will see the company, a subsidiary of CSL Ltd, manufacture and supply these critical health products through to 2036.
 
The new facility will create more than 350 high-skilled jobs in Victoria’s thriving advanced manufacturing sector, and many more across the life sciences and medical technologies supply chain.

The plant is on track to commence operations from the start of next year for influenza vaccines, and the middle of next year for antivenoms and Q fever vaccines.
 
Melbourne is now the home of two-world class manufacturing facilities that are the only ones of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere, guaranteeing cell-based and mRNA vaccines, and medicines can be made in Australia.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
“This new world-class manufacturing plant in Melbourne means we won’t have to wait in a queue to receive critical vaccines from overseas suppliers in an emergency.
 
“It will help ensure we are better prepared for the next pandemic – a key commitment of the Albanese Government.

Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson:

“Victoria leads the nation in vaccine innovation and medical research, with the largest sector in Australia supporting more than 30,000 jobs.
 
“This major investment cements Victoria as a global leader in cell-based influenza vaccines and strengthens our state’s research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
 
Quote attributable for Victorian Member for Sunbury Josh Bull:

“We’re proud to support world-leading facility to open right here in Sunbury – delivering hundreds of high-skilled local jobs and strengthening our community’s place at the heart of Victoria’s advanced manufacturing future.”
 
Quotes attributable to CSL Seqirus Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Ross:

“CSL Seqirus has been at the forefront of innovation since 1919 and our partnership with the Australian and Victorian Governments has been central to that.”