Peter Mac has played host to the announcement of an in-principle partnership between the Victorian Government and ground-breaking German biotechnology company BioNTech.

The developers of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 mRNA vaccine have chosen Victoria to establish their Asia-Pacific mRNA clinical research and development centre which will support researchers to translate their work into medical breakthroughs.

Treasurer Tim Pallas and Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced an in-principle partnership with BioNTech to establish a clinical scale mRNA manufacturing facility in Melbourne.

The arrangement would see BioNTech deliver next-generation mRNA therapeutics and vaccines for research and clinical trials, including infectious diseases, cancer medicines and personalised cancer treatments.

Peter Mac CEO, Professor Shelley Dolan, said the announcement is important for patients with cancer in Australia and around the world.

“Peter Mac’s research extends from fundamental discovery that translates into cancer treatments, providing the perfect opportunity to collaborate with a world leading company such as BioNTech,” Shelley said.

Victorian Treasurer, the Hon Tim Pallas, said: “This is a major coup for Victoria – it will see incredible collaboration opportunities for our researchers and international biotech companies.”

“BioNTech and Moderna are the only companies in the world to deliver mRNA products to market and soon they will both call Victoria home," The Hon Jaala Pulford, the Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, said.