Critical equipment en route to Australia ahead of mRNA vaccine trials

A $1 million NanoAssemblr machine, a critical part of mRNA vaccine production, has been shipped from Canada ahead of Phase 1 clinical trials for the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

The machine would be the first of its kind in Australia, according to a statement from the Victorian government, which has allocated $5 million to support the MIPS trial, scheduled to begin in October.

The NanoAssemblr would “process nanoparticles into final liquid drug form, sterilise the product and fill vials with mRNA vaccines” at IDT Australia’s facility in Boronia. Over 150 doses will be made for the trial.

The project is a collaboration between Monash, the Doherty Institute and IDT Australia.

“Victoria has a vibrant mRNA ecosystem and partnering with MIPS and the Doherty on translating mRNA clinical research to development of the vaccine on a smaller commercial scale is very exciting,” said IDT Australia’s CEO Dr David Sparling.

Preliminary results from the trial are expected in the first half of next year.

Picture: IDT Australia

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