New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee statement 10 June

Sydney, 10 June 2022 NSW universities welcome NSW Government investment in world-leading RNA research The NSW Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSW VCC) has welcomed the NSW Government’s budget announcement of $119 million over 10 years to fund R&D initiatives and grants to firmly establish an RNA manufacturing and innovation ecosystem in NSW. Convener of the NSW VCC, Professor Barney Glover AO, congratulated the NSW Government for its foresight and ambition which is set to transform the State into a world-leading destination for research, development and local manufacturing capabilities. “Investments such as these are critical to future-proofing the social and economic prosperity of NSW. Universities look forward to working closely with government and industry, to utilise and translate our collective research strengths to achieve real impact for the communities we serve.” The budget announcement follows previous commitments from the NSW Government to invest in the RNA Pilot Facility, RNA Production and Research Network and the establishment of the UNSW RNA Institute. “This collaboration will bring together top scientists and researchers from the state’s leading universities, research institutes and hospitals to collaborate on RNA research and find therapeutic solutions to tackle other diseases and help protect the long-term health of our communities,” said Professor Glover. “This is a significant investment and the collaboration between Government and the university sector will be a driver for future innovation and lead to a major vaccine producer establishing a base in NSW.”