- Viral vector manufacturing and advance cell capability to be delivered through the flagship $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF).
- QIMR Berghofer will receive $3 million to expand their cell and gene therapy manufacturing capabilities, improving access and affordability of treatment for cancer, as well as autoimmune and infectious diseases.
- Investment will create 22 jobs during construction and 14 new highly skilled ongoing roles, and the potential for more than 100 additional roles in future stages.
The Crisafulli Government is backing cutting edge cancer, autoimmune and infectious disease treatment in Queensland by supporting the expansion of advanced cell and gene therapy capability through the flagship $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF).
QIMR Berghofer will receive $3 million to establish a viral vector manufacturing suite with GMP-compliant bioreactors and downstream processing capability, helping Queensland lead the development and production of advanced therapies, while creating skilled jobs and attracting new biomedical investment.
The funding will support QIMR’s NextGen project, which will modernise, futureproof and expand Q-Gen, a TGA-licensed advance therapy manufacturing facility.
The project addresses a sovereign capability gap by establishing local viral vector manufacturing in Queensland, reducing Australia’s reliance on overseas supply chains for advanced therapies.
Viral vectors deliver genetic material into cells and have opened up new frontiers in therapeutic and preventative health treatments.
Co-located with the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, within the Herston Health Precinct, the upgrade will transform Q-Gen into a clinically integrated manufacturing facility, supporting cell and gene therapy development, clinical trials and commercial programs to treat cancer, as well as autoimmune and infectious diseases.
The investment will help accelerate commercialisation of Queensland and Australian biomedical research, keeping intellectual property, expertise and economic benefits onshore.
The Crisafulli Government’s investment will help launch Stage One of the project, creating 22 jobs during construction and 14 new highly skilled ongoing roles, with potentially more than 100 additional roles in further stages.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was delivering investment in critical skills and care for Queenslanders.
“By backing biomedical investment and Queensland innovation, we’re helping to deliver critical skills and jobs, as well as improving access and affordability for cell and gene therapies for Queenslanders, and patients nationally,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“In addition to our ongoing work to heal Labor’s Health Crisis, we’re backing innovative Queensland businesses with the potential to strengthen our sovereign capability, commercialise world-class health research and create the high-value jobs of the future.
“We inherited an economy that had suffered through a decade of thought bubbles and glossy brochures, with no real action, too many opportunities lost and too little focus on building Queensland’s sovereign capability.
“The Crisafulli Government is changing that through the Sovereign Industry Development fund, ensuring Queensland is not simply consuming innovation developed elsewhere, but becoming a place where breakthrough technologies are researched, manufactured and delivered to patients here and the world.”
QIMR Berghofer Council Chair Professor Arun Sharma said the establishment of NextGen represented a significant investment in Australia’s future health, economic resilience and sovereign capability.
“Ultimately, NextGen is about improving lives. By strengthening Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, we can help make life-changing cell and gene therapies more accessible and affordable for patients, while positioning Queensland as Australia’s destination for advanced therapeutics innovation and manufacturing,” Professor Sharma said.
“Queensland has the research excellence, clinical capability and collaborative ecosystem to lead the next generation of cell and gene therapies. NextGen builds on these strengths to create a nationally significant platform for innovation, manufacturing and translation.
“Over time, NextGen has the potential to transform how Australia develops, manufactures and delivers advanced therapies, improving patient access to more affordable treatments, attracting global talent and investment, and delivering enduring health, economic and sovereign capability benefits for Queensland and the nation.
“This investment reflects the strength of the partnership between QIMR Berghofer and the Queensland Government in helping build a sovereign, globally connected cell and gene therapy industry. Stage 1 of NextGen marks a significant milestone in delivering a long-term vision that will continue to grow through future investment, strategic partnerships and industry collaboration.”
