National RNA blueprint released

The federal government has released Australia’s RNA Blueprint, which it says will “guide advanced manufacturing growth and help create more high-paying jobs” within a sector estimated to add “up to $8 billion” to national GDP over the next decade. In a statement on Tuesday, industry minister Ed Husic said the blueprint (available here) focussed on…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

More rocket launches planned for Koonibba Test Range German rocket manufacturer Hyimpulse is negotiating further space launches from Southern Launch’s South Australian launch facilities following the successful launch its SL1 sub-orbital vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna, SA (pictured). The launch tested Hyimpulse’s novel propulsion technology. The company now plans further launches from…

IDT and Sanofi to manufacture mRNA vaccines under development

Drug development company IDT Australia and pharmaceutical business Sanofi have signed an agreement for the good manufacturing practice (cGMP) manufacture of Sanofi’s mRNA vaccines now under development. The partners will collaborate to advance mRNA-based vaccine formulation, development and manufacture at IDT’s aseptic sterile injectables filling facilities in Melbourne (pictured) in volumes needed for clinical trials…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Envirostream to recycle LG lithium batteries Battery recycler Envirostream has signed an exclusive three year agreement with LG Energy Solutions to recycle all its recalled lithium ion batteries collected in Australia. Envirostream, a subsidiary of Lithium Australia, expects significantly increased battery collection volumes equating to 140 percent of the company’s total in FY23. LG has…

Moderna launches mRNA Platform Incubator Network

US-based biotech company Moderna has announced the launch of the mRNA Platform Incubator Network, linking Australian organisations with strength in translational and pharmaceutical science, early-phase clinical trials and regulatory science.  According to the maker of the Spikevax COVID‑19 vaccine, the group aims to “advance mRNA medicine, foster scientific excellence in clinical translation in Australia and…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, September 18 – 22, 2023

What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Another battery metals factory lost offshore, more to come While Australia talks the big talk about being a critical minerals and battery metals superpower, backed by the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund, Australian metals companies continue to…

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…

Moderna launches new R&D centre at Monash

US-based biotech company Moderna has opened its Regional Research Centre for Respiratory Medicines and Tropical Diseases and local headquarters in Melbourne, ahead of the expected opening of their mRNA factory next year. State industry minister Ben Carroll launched the new research centre on Tuesday. It sits next to its headquarters for Australia, New Zealand, South-East…