Bringing together a Queensland mRNA manufacturing ecosystem
Southern RNA
A $5m grant from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) will help Southern RNA combine its new manufacturing capability with the Queensland research community to create an end-to-end mRNA translation ecosystem.
The Client
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a critical need for Australian facilities and services to support researchers and companies developing mRNA drug candidates. In response to this unmet need, Southern RNA’s founders set out to establish Australian-first mRNA production capacity at the Springfield Biopark outside of Brisbane.
As part of its strategy to fund the cutting edge infrastructure, Southern RNA partnered with Intellect Labs to pursue non-dilutive funding from State and Federal Governments.
The Solution
On identifying a Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant as a promising opportunity, Intellect Labs and Southern RNA worked to bring together a consortium of Queensland academic and research institutions, industry participants and state and local government partners. Discussions culminated in a five-year project that combined establishment of infrastructure with new mRNA research that would progress promising vaccine candidates through preclinical and clinical phases.
As well assisting with defining the project and developing the role of each of the partners, Intellect Labs led the preparation of the written application and supporting documents. This included governance arrangements, risk management plans, budgets and project plans to cover the decentralised project activities that would occur across the consortium.
The Result
Southern RNA and its partners were successful in their application and received a $5m grant to execute the project over the next 5 years. The funding will be used to develop infrastructure and processes that will help Australian researchers and biotechnology startups translate mRNA candidates here in Australia.
As well as being a great example of the benefits of a strategic approach to non-dilutive funding, Southern RNA's partnership with the Queensland research community demonstrates the value of collaboration in developing compelling projects and solving critical health challenges.
