Opal Biosciences has called for expressions of interest from companies and organisations wishing to support and/or participate in the formation of a Victorian Life Sciences and Biotechnology Development and Manufacturing Precinct.
The precinct, to be opened in 2023, will be based in the Melbourne suburb of Boronia. Expressions of interest are sought by 31 July 2021.
Opal said it proposes the lease the site that currently hosts a GSK pharmaceutical manufacturing that will close by the end of 2022. It seeks other interested parties for use of the extensive existing infrastructure including areas of office spaces, laboratories and manufacturing facilities or for development of bespoke requirements on vacant areas of the site.
Opal said it encourages academic and medical research institutions as well as local and overseas companies to consider the opportunity.
"The precinct will facilitate collaboration with industry partners and assistance for pharmaceutical development and manufacture on the site. Experienced industry input would expedite translation of academic and medical research to commercial development and manufacture. Service providers are also encouraged to be part of the precinct," said Opal in a statement.
According to managing director Julie Phillips, "The Opal vision is ambitious - it is an exciting and much-needed initiative for Australia and would be the first of its type here. We have already attracted enormous support from experts and companies in vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacture as well as intellectual property, quality systems, regulatory, preclinical and commercialization service providers. This ecosystem will guide companies and other groups in the development and manufacturing of their pharmaceutical and vaccine assets, and importantly, do it here in Australia."
