Construction has begun in NSW on a new RNA research facility at Macquarie University to enable the state to tackle future health challenges.

RNA – ribonucleic acid biology – is becoming one of the most influential areas in modern biomedicine. The $96-million RNA Research and Pilot Manufacturing Facility – co-located at Macquarie’s Wallumattagal campus in North Ryde – will be the first of its kind in Australia.

Macquarie University’s Professor Sakkie Pretorius told Government News the new facility “will be a catalyst for groundbreaking research and translational advancement of new RNA therapies”.

It will, he said, be an essential conduit between basic laboratory research and clinical manufacturing of therapeutic products, “providing a platform for relatively low-cost and high-throughput production of potential RNA therapies for pre-clinical evaluation, and the ability to design, test and optimise novel manufacturing workflows prior to technology-transfer into expensive clinical manufacturing platforms”.

As well, Pretorius told GN the facility will be “a critical enabler of sovereign biomedical engineering capability (which would otherwise occur internationally) and contribute to Australia’s emerging leadership in synthetic biology and RNA technologies”.

He added: “It is anticipated that the RNA Pilot Facility will enable local development of RNA therapeutic products, and foster workforce development in a critical advanced manufacturing technology.”

RNA technology came to global prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic when it supported the rapid development and deployment of vaccines.

The emerging technology has the potential to prevent and treat a broad spectrum of health conditions including other viruses, cancers, and genetic diseases.

Operated by Aurora Biosynthetics, the facility will be overseen by RNA Australia – a newly formed NSW-based company, which is a joint venture between the NSW government and four universities.  

It’s hoped the collaboration will drive workforce opportunities within the industry. “This facility will drive jobs and investment in the sector, along with delivering potentially life-saving solutions,” NSW premier Chris Minns said in a statement. “This is a step forward for healthcare in NSW and an opportunity for us to grow important new high-tech companies.”