Image: Dr Iris Depaz, Managing Director TSH & Country Medical Lead, Sanofi AuNZ, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, Griffith University, Acting Deputy Director General, Mark Tierney – Queensland State Government. Supplied.
Sanofi, one of the world’s leading healthcare companies, has progressed its partnership with Griffith University by officially opening its latest research site at the university’s Gold Coast campus, which will bring global biomedical research and development (R&D) to the Coast.
The partnership forms part of the Translational Science Hub (TSH), an exciting collaboration that links world-class researchers in Queensland, and now the Gold Coast, with scientists at the Sanofi mRNA Centre of Excellence in France and the United States to develop the next generation of immunisations.
A first of its kind, TSH is a $280 million partnership between Sanofi, the Queensland Government, Griffith University, and the University of Queensland that is putting the Sunshine State at the forefront of mRNA vaccine development and biomedical research in Australia.
Operating at the cutting-edge of science, Griffith University offers state-of-the art technology and leading experts in infectious disease, vaccine development and mRNA technology, presenting strong foundations for successful research collaboration in mRNA science.
“Queensland is home to world-class research facilities and a highly-skilled workforce driving the development of new vaccines and healthcare breakthroughs,” says Queensland Deputy Premier, Hon. Steven Miles MP.
“The fact that Sanofi, one of the world’s largest healthcare companies, chose Queensland to reshape 21st century medicine is a strong sign of things to come, and a significant milestone for the Gold Coast and Griffith University.”
The Translational Science Hub will initially focus on the evaluation of a new generation of mRNA vaccines. mRNA is expected to herald new vaccines that instruct certain cells to produce proteins that are recognised by the immune system to mount a defence.
“This partnership sees Griffith University as a burgeoning biotech hub on the Gold Coast,” says Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans, Griffith University.
Researchers based on the Gold Coast will use Griffith University infrastructure and technology to better understand mRNA vaccine technology, which will help to optimise the platform to produce better vaccines and expand its use in the development of therapies to treat a variety of diseases.
First-of-its-kind vaccines for chlamydia, acne and even some cancers, plus improved vaccines for influenza and RSV, will be developed on the Gold Coast and across Queensland.