A new RNA Innovation Foundry at The University of Western Australia will boost the State's role in next-generation medicine, biotech innovation and RNA-based solutions, connecting academic teaching and learning with real-world industry practice.
Speaking at yesterday's launch of the facility, Minister for Science and Innovation and Medical Research Stephen Dawson MLA, said the foundry would help position WA as a nationally and internationally competitive hub in health and medical research.
UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Anna Nowak said the RNA Innovation Foundry exemplified the University's commitment to bridging academic theory with real-world impact in areas that matter most, including health, prosperity and the well-being of all West Australians.
"By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, the Foundry gives students and researchers wonderful opportunities to work directly with transformative RNA science," Professor Nowak said.
"The Foundry will connect academic learning with real-world industry practice.
"It operates to the same standards as advanced biotech environments, using digital notebooks and laboratory management systems that replicate modern industry workflows."
Professor Nowak said UWA had also established the Australian Centre for RNA Therapeutics in Cancer as a research entity, under the leadership of Professor Archa Fox.
"This new Centre complements the activity of the RNA Innovation Foundry, creating a direct pathway to translate mRNA technologies into treatments for cancer patients," she said.
"Together, the Foundry and the Centre show UWA's commitment to turning discovery into real-world health impact."
As a funding partner supporting the new facility, Therapeutic Innovation Australia CEO Stuart Newman said the Foundry's focus on RNA manufacturing addressed a rapidly growing and strategically important area in modern medicine.
"Facilities such as this break down barriers to translation," Dr Newman said. "They deliver real outcomes, benefiting patients, energising industry, and boosting Australia's global competitiveness.
"By enabling faster development and scalable manufacturing, we are not just supporting scientific breakthroughs, we are driving workforce growth, new collaborations, and export-ready innovations that strengthen our economy."
Professor Fox, Director of the RNA Innovation Foundry, also announced a strategic partnership with Belgium-based biotech company Quantoom Biosciences, establishing the Foundry as Quantoom's reference site in Australia, a first for the Oceania region. As part of the partnership, the Foundry and Quantoom will also conduct joint research on mRNA process development relating to the use of Quantoom's platform.
"This partnership will significantly enhance our manufacturing capabilities and translational research potential," Professor Fox said.
