The Southern Hemisphere’s first cell-based vaccine manufacturing facility has opened in Tullamarine.
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 $1 billion, ten-year agreement between the federal government and Seqirus will see the company, a subsidiary of CSL, manufacture and supply critical health products through to 2036.
The state government said the new world-class facility is the product of a strong commitment from the federal and state governments and CSL Seqirus to protecting Australia’s health security.
Health, Disability and Ageing Minister Mark Butler and Economic Growth and Jobs Minister Danny Pearson officially launched the new manufacturing plant on Tuesday 2 December.
Mr Butler said the new plant would help ensure Australia is better prepared for the next pandemic.
“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,” Mr Butler said.
According to the state government, the new facility will create more than 350 high-skilled jobs in Victoria’s advanced manufacturing sector, and more across the life sciences and medical technologies supply chain.
Mr Pearson said the investment cements Victoria as a global leader in cell-based influenza vaccines.
“Victoria leads the nation in vaccine innovation and medical research, with the largest sector in Australia supporting more than 30,000 jobs,” Mr Pearson said.
“[The investment] strengthens our state’s research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing capabilities.”
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.
Sunbury MP Josh Bull said the plant will strengthen the community’s place at the heart of Victoria’s advanced manufacturing future.
“We’re proud to support world-leading facility to open right here in Sunbury [electorate] – delivering hundreds of high-skilled local jobs,“ Mr Bull said.
The state government said Melbourne is now the home of two-world class manufacturing facilities that are the only ones of their kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
