Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility announces inaugural board 

The new Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility, which aspires to be “a leading commercial viral vector contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO)”, has announced the appointment of its Chair and three board members.

The VVMF, located at the Western Sydney suburb of Westmead, announced Sue MacLeman (pictured) as its Chair and Non-Executive Director on Thursday, following Stephen Thompson’s commencement as the inaugural CEO this week.

MacLeman has been CEO and board member of several ASX, AIM and NASDAQ listed companies in the healthtech sector, said the VVMF in a statement, and is a current non-executive director at Planet Innovation Holdings, Smartways Logistics, Rhythm Biosciences, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and Omico.

“Establishing VVMF as a company has required a significant vision across all of NSW government over several years, driven by the enthusiasm and dedication of the team at Westmead Precinct and related research entities, together with many others involved in this significant initiative for NSW and Australia,” said MacLeman.

“I would personally like to thank all those who have assisted so far, with plenty more to be done”. 

The new appointments also include Dr Jane Ryan as Non-Executive Director and Chair of Remuneration Committee, Trevor Danos as Non-Executive Director as well as Chair of Risk and Audit Committee, and Robyn Kruk as Non-Executive Director.

According to an announcement in February on the VVMF’s establishment by the NSW government, Stage 1 of the facility is operational for use in gene therapy research, with the first clinical trial anticipated to commence in 2025 using vectors from the VVMF. 

Stage 2 is currently under construction and once completed will provide NSW with commercial-scale viral vector manufacturing.   

Viral vectors are described as a key component in many cell and gene therapies, as well as vaccines, and are seeing increasing use in the treatment of cancer, genetic diseases and infections.

Picture: credit Planet Innovation