Trials for Australian-made mRNA vaccine to start within months

Victoria’s Acting Premier announced a $5 million investment in a Monash University program to produce the country’s first local mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Acting Premier James Merlino tours the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Victorian Government confirmed that it would invest $5 million to support MIPS to manufacture doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for trials, which are due to start within months. Photo: AAP/Penny Stephens

20 June 2021 4:13pm

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Australia is a step closer in developing a locally-made mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate, through a collaboration between the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) and the Doherty Institute.

The Victorian government announced the first allocation from its $50 million pot of funds for battling coronavirus, with a $5 million investment in developing the state’s mRNA manufacturing capability.

Marking an Australian first, the MIPS vaccine candidate has previously received $3 million from the Medical Research Future Fund to cover the costs of the Phase 1 clinical trial.

The development of mRNA capability is considered a medical research breakthrough globally, with capacity for broad-based application in HIV, cancer and other treatments.

“The investment by the Victorian Government into establishing Victoria’s mRNA manufacturing capability presents exciting opportunities to develop life-saving vaccines and therapeutic treatments for all Australians,” said Monash University Professor of Pharmaceutical Biology Colin Pouton.

Clinical trials are set to begin in October with around 150 people involved, while preliminary results are expected to become available in the first half of 2022.