- Published:
- Thursday 17 March 2022
The Andrews Labor Government has secured an agreement with biopharmaceutical company Pfizer to increase global collaboration opportunities with Victorian researchers and industry.
Minister for Innovation, Medical Research, and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford today announced the initiative during the Minister’s tour of Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation (CTI) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Experts from Pfizer’s CTI and RNA Accelerator will work with mRNA Victoria toward advancing critical skills and connections with Victorian researchers and industry.
Established in 2010, Pfizer’s CTI is a unique joint drug discovery model focused on collaborating globally with academic institutions to translate and transform early discovery research into viable therapeutic products.
Pfizer’s RNA Accelerator seeks to build on the successes of the CTI model, harnessing external innovation to expand Pfizer’s leadership in RNA therapeutics.
The first mRNA Victoria and Pfizer joint initiative will be a symposium to present high-impact Australian mRNA and RNA research, paving the way for greater collaborations with Pfizer’s CTI and RNA Accelerator.
Additional opportunities to advance skills for Victorian mRNA researchers are also being explored, including the possibility of future industry fellowship programs for early-career researchers.
Connecting researchers with global industry is a key enabler for Victoria’s mRNA ecosystem.
The establishment of this new alliance with Pfizer aims to accelerate the translation of research into viable therapies. Building links to Pfizer’s RNA Accelerator is an important pathway for Victoria’s leading mRNA ecosystem, strengthening the state as a leader in medical research and innovation.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford
“This agreement with one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies is a strong endorsement of the strength of Victoria’s research and development community and recognises our status as one of the world leaders in this field.”
“This initiative between mRNA Victoria and Pfizer will also deliver significant job opportunities for our state as leading biotech research and commercialisation is ramped up.”