- Published:
- Wednesday 21 October 2026
Labor is securing Victoria’s position as a global powerhouse of medical technology and research.
BioNTech, a top global biopharmaceutical company, opened a new facility in Melbourne’s north today.
The facility will produce potentially lifesaving new treatments in partnership with the Carroll Labor Government.
It will work with academia and industry to manufacture and research cutting-edge mRNA technologies, which are designed to help the body learn to fight diseases.
This includes potential new treatments for cancer, heart disease, neurological and autoinflammatory diseases and potential new vaccines.
The clinical-scale manufacturing and R&D facility is a cornerstone of BioNTech’s partnership with the Labor Government.
Labor has invested more than $1.2 billion to back world-class research and breakthroughs, making Victoria the medical research capital of Australia.
This new facility will contribute clinical-scale mRNA manufacturing capability to the local ecosystem. The ecosystem aims to support up to 1,200 Victorian jobs.
The facility is located at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus.
BioNTech will work with researchers and biotech companies to make investigational medicines for clinical trials.
Since its establishment in 2021, Labor’s mRNA Victoria has invested $34 million to support 65 research projects.
This has helped advance new medicines and vaccines for Alzheimer’s, HIV, cancer and rare childhood diseases.
Victoria is the only place in the world where both global mRNA leaders, Moderna and BioNTech, have research, development and manufacturing operations.
Labor will continue supporting Victoria’s leading researchers to turn new ideas into better treatments and better care for Victorians and people around the world.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Medical Research Anthony Carbines
“We’re backing lifesaving scientific breakthroughs and local jobs, making Victoria a top global destination for medical research.”
“Victoria is the only place in the world to host both global leaders in mRNA, leading the future of medical innovation.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Bundoora Colin Brooks
“Medical research is a massive driver of economic growth, investment and highly skilled jobs.”
“BioNTech’s world-class facility in Bundoora will help deliver the next generation of life-changing treatments.”
Quotes attributable to BioNTech Chief Operating Officer Dr Sierk Poetting
“Our partnership with the Victorian Government demonstrates how public-private collaboration can build lasting capabilities aimed at driving innovation in medicine.
“I am proud of the milestone we reached with today’s inauguration and look forward to the years ahead as we continue working with our partners to further strengthen the local mRNA ecosystem and empower groundbreaking research and development that are aiming at making a difference for patients worldwide.”
Quotes attributable to La Trobe University Chancellor the Hon. John Brumby AO
“BioNTech’s decision to establish its manufacturing and research facility at La Trobe is exactly the kind of collaboration we envisaged for University City; one that takes great research beyond the laboratory and turns it into new treatments, new industries and new opportunities.
“BioNTech has already begun its vital mRNA research and development work in our Eagleworks Innovation Centre. As of today, it now has a state-of-the-art clinical-scale manufacturing facility on our campus. That is a powerful example of what can happen when universities, industry and government work together.”