Victoria is positioning itself as a global hub for manufacturing lifesaving vaccines, with new mRNA infrastructure at BioNTech’s Bundoora site expected to strengthen research capacity and support jobs across the sector, according to the Victorian Government.
Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Steve Dimopoulos visited the BioNTech facility on Tuesday, where installation of BioNTainer units is underway as part of efforts to expand advanced vaccine and biomedical manufacturing in the state.
In a news release, the government says the development could support up to 1,200 jobs across the wider industry over the next decade.
Victoria is already home to two of the world’s leading mRNA vaccine companies, BioNTech and Moderna, and is now one of only two locations globally hosting BioNTainer manufacturing units, which are based on a prototype developed in Germany.
The modular units function as portable laboratories designed for small-scale manufacturing of vaccines and treatments, enabling researchers and biotech firms to collaborate with BioNTech on investigational medicines ranging from cancer therapies to vaccines for emerging diseases.
Minister Dimopoulos said the initiative reinforces Victoria’s position in advanced medical manufacturing.
“Victoria is making the vaccines of the future supporting thousands of jobs right here in Melbourne,” he said. “Every dollar invested in medical research attracts business and drives economic growth.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll said the facilities would help speed up the transition from research to treatment. “These facilities don’t just support research – they accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to life-saving treatments,” he said.
BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting said the Melbourne-based BioNTainer units are intended to strengthen the local mRNA manufacturing ecosystem. “Our BioNTainer units in Melbourne are aimed at supporting the local mRNA ecosystem by providing small-scale manufacturing capabilities focused on research and development,” he said.
“They are intended to become a resource for local partners, helping to expand innovation, accelerate development, and strengthen regional capabilities.”
The units have been given Woi wurrung names Wirrarap, meaning medicine man, faith and spirit healer, and Boordup, meaning a source or place of comfort, reflecting their role in health innovation.
The facility is located within La Trobe University’s $5 billion University City precinct at Bundoora, which the university says is a key component of a broader innovation ecosystem linking government, researchers and industry.
La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell said the installation marks an important step in building that ecosystem. “The installation of the BioNTainer units marks another important step in the development of a world-class innovation ecosystem at La Trobe’s University City,” he said.
“As a hub for next-generation health and biotechnology, our University City precinct brings together research and industry partners like BioNTech and government to create new opportunities for collaboration, discovery and impact, helping build the future of medical innovation in Victoria.”
