MTPConnect Welcomes the Launch of the TRI’s upgraded Cleanroom Manufacturing Facility & Training Hub

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14 October 2020

Pictured: Minister for Industry, Science & Technology, Hon. Karen Andrews MP at the opening of the facility at the TRI in Brisbane. Photo by: Andrew Bowskill.

Today, the Translational Research Institute (TRI) in Brisbane launched its upgraded Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) clinical cleanroom manufacturing facility and training hub.

The Minister for Industry, Science & Technology Hon. Karen Andrews MP was there to officially open the facility. The Minister spoke of the exciting new opportunities this would bring for Australian medical manufacturing and future industry growth. 

The TRI launch opened its inaugural one-day MTP Manufacturing Careers Symposium, sponsored by MTPConnect, SeerPharma, Vaxxas and Therapeutic Innovation Australia.

Professor Scott Bell, CEO of the TRI says the T3 Cleanroom facility is the outcome of a successful partnership with Australian biotech, Vaxxas Pty Ltd, to secure funding from MTPConnect to build clinical manufacturing and training capacity.

“Based in dedicated commercial space at TRI, Vaxxas worked with us to identify a critical gap in medtech manufacturing and skills for companies needing to scale-up production for clinical trials, which led TRI to develop the unique T3 Cleanrooms,” he said.

“Having access to this vital facility is enabling Vaxxas to progress its innovative vaccine technology from preclinical to clinical trials and is a great example of the translational pathway that exists at TRI to foster the commercialisation of Australian medical innovations.

“Importantly, while based at TRI, Vaxxas has secured millions in funding from the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Merck and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to support human clinical trials of its micro-patch technology to deliver vaccines worldwide,” Professor Bell said.

MTPConnect Managing Director & CEO, Dr Dan Grant joined the launch virtually from Melbourne, along with Vaxxas CEO David Hoey who zoomed in from Boston. 

Dr Grant explained the Industry Growth Centre funding of the project is improving critical research infrastructure to global standards, helping accelerate the translation of new medical innovations and boosting workforce skills of Australia’s emerging scientists.

“Giving Australian researchers and start-up medtech and pharma companies access to high value infrastructure such as GMP cleanrooms and small-scale manufacturing facility is a game-changer, keeping successful start-ups like Vaxxas here in Australia rather than moving development overseas," Dr Grant said. 

"The TRI cleanroom fills the gap from the lab to the clinic, enabling discovery, production, and clinical trials and treatment to be available in one place.

“We know that Australia has a workforce skills shortage in cleanroom processes and advanced manufacturing, so setting up the clinical manufacturing training hub at the TRI is a targeted way to build our sovereign capabilities and develop more career opportunities for our best and brightest talent.”

Watch a promotional video of the TRI's Cleanrooms:

Watch a tour of the Cleanrooms:

Find out more information about today’s launch, here.