New cancer vaccine hub at UQ expected to open by late-2024

A new mRNA cancer vaccine hub at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Brisbane is expected to be operating by late-this year, The University of Queensland has shared.

In a statement on Monday, UQ said the BASE mRNA facility was supported by a recent $3.3 million Medical Research Future Fund National Critical Research Infrastructure program grant, and will create patient-specific treatments for the research community. 

The lab was also awarded $6.6 million funding last year, with $4.3 million from the MRFF, $1 million each pledged by Sanofi and UQ, and $250,000 from the Queensland government.

Deputy Director of BASE Dr Seth Cheetham (pictured) said personalised mRNA cancer vaccines are currently being used to train the body’s immune system to recognise and eradicate cancer cells.

“Despite the huge potential, Australian researchers haven’t had the necessary infrastructure to build these vaccines, leading to a critical gap in the local drug development pipeline,” said Cheetham.  

“This lab changes that, with a leading team of investigators in a purpose-built space, working with local industry and academics to progress a range of high-quality mRNA cancer vaccine candidates from design through to preclinical evaluation, with the aim of enabling future clinical trials.” 

BASE is recognised as the leading provider of mRNA in the nation for research and pilot studies, according to UQ, and has provided experimental-grade vaccines to research and industry partners since launching in 2021.

Picture: supplied

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