Monash researcher backed by state government to scale-up unique mRNA manufacturing technology for pandemic preparedness
One of the scientists behind the development of Australia’s first COVID-19 mRNA vaccine candidate, Dr Harry Al-Wassiti, has been awarded $427,000 to scale-up a platform designed to produce and manufacture high-quality mRNA vaccines and therapeutics.
The grant is part of the latest round of funding from the Victorian Government’s mRNA Victoria Activation Program which seeks to support bold new ideas that will grow Victoria’s capability in RNA research, development and manufacturing.
Dr Al-Wassiti and his team at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MIPS) will use the funding to further enhance their unique ‘RaRtech’ platform to drive forward homegrown mRNA manufacturing innovation and to help deliver on sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
RaRtech was developed at MIPS to produce template DNA for mRNA vaccine and therapeutic synthesis. The RaRtech process is designed to generate template DNA that is able to pass all critical quality assessments for use in the manufacture of mRNA products for clinical trials and is now ready for the next stage.
“With this funding we are now ready to advance the platform toward a second-generation RaRtech process that is able scale up more effectively and in doing so support the manufacturing of high-quality mRNA therapeutics suitable for Phase I to III clinical trials, and to better position Australia’s response to emerging pandemics or high-risk endemics,” said Dr Al-Wassiti.
Dr Al-Wassiti said that the platform is most suited to mRNA products developed by universities and small biotech companies who wish to advance their product development to large-scale synthesis, much like the MIPS team did when they developed the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidates in 2020.
“Back at the start of 2020 our team, led by Professor Colin Pouton, had already developed the novel RaRtech and were using it to produce DNA for mRNA vaccines targeting influenza and other diseases. When the pandemic arrived, we were able to swiftly pivot our research to develop three COVID-19 vaccine candidates in the space of four weeks,” said Dr Al-Wassiti.
The frontrunner of the three candidates is now in Phase 1 clinical trials, in collaboration with research partners the Doherty Institute.
A second-generation RaRtech has the potential to significantly enhance innovation in manufacturing of new mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. The RaRtech platform will improve the manufacturing capability across a diverse group of mRNA initiatives throughout Victoria and the country.
Monash is at the cutting edge of mRNA therapeutics development. In August it was announced that Monash is spearheading The Victorian mRNA Innovation Hub in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, to develop next-generation mRNA vaccines and therapeutics to treat a range of diseases.
Soon after it was announced that Moderna will build its first mRNA production facility in the Southern Hemisphere at Monash’s Clayton campus, as well as partnering with the Victorian government to establish the Monash Centre for Advanced mRNA Medicines Manufacturing and Workforce Training.
Professor Chris Porter, Director of MIPS and Chair of The Victorian mRNA Innovation Hub Management Committee, said the grant awarded to Dr Al-Wassiti is a reflection of his perseverance and determination to advance mRNA research.
“This well-deserved funding will enable Harry to continue this important project, with the aim of further enhancing our ability to rapidly respond to pandemic threats in Australia”
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