UQ partners in global vaccine hub in Queensland

Queensland will become a global mRNA vaccine hub with a $280 million Translational Science Hub to be established in Queensland.

Global healthcare company Sanofi and the Queensland Government have today signed the agreement for the research facility, along with The University of Queensland and Griffith University as foundational partners.

The Hub will link leading Queensland researchers with scientists at the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the United States, placing them at the forefront of global vaccine development and biomedical research.

L–R: Griffith University VC Professor Carolyn Evans, UQ VC Professor Deborah Terry, Sanofi Global Head of Vaccine R&D Dr Jean-Francois Toussaint, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles, Minister for Science Meaghan Scanlon.

University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the partnership built on a commitment to bring the latest technologies to UQ’s internationally recognised vaccine and drug development programs.

“The pivot to mRNA technologies was accelerated during the pandemic and UQ has invested in both the people and facilities to ensure mRNA for pre-clinical research can be developed and produced in Queensland,” Professor Terry said.

“Collaboration and partnership are at the heart of all great research, and we look forward to making a difference to global health in collaboration with our partners.”