Moderna’s Monash mRNA factory now half-built

The Victorian government has announced that construction of Moderna’s mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility is ahead of schedule and at the halfway mark, with completion expected next year.

State industry minister Ben Carroll visited Monash University’s Clayton precinct on Monday morning, where the US-based biotechnology company will eventually have capacity for 100 million vaccine doses per year.

The beginning of construction was announced in late-2022.

Moderna plans to manufacture a range of mRNA vaccines at the factory for respiratory health conditions, including influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

An expected 500 manufacturing jobs are expected to be created, according to a statement from Carroll.

“The facility is… currently Australia’s largest advanced manufacturing project,” said Carroll.

 “Today marks another important milestone in Victoria’s partnership with the Commonwealth Government and Moderna, as we look to build Australia’s mRNA industry, manufacture vaccines locally, create jobs and change lives for decades to come.”

Finalisation of the ten-year partnership was announced in August 2022.

Moderna opened its Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases and local headquarters, next to the mRNA factory site, last month.

Picture: credit Moderna

Further reading

Melbourne Moderna mRNA factory a step closer following announcement

Construction underway at Moderna Monash mRNA facility

Moderna launches new R&D centre at Monash