Kean flags budget boost for RNA research

Biotech News: An unprecedented collaboration between all 14 NSW and ACT universities aims to accelerate the translation of local RNA research with NSW Government’s $119 million investment over 10 years.

Treasurer Matt Kean said the funding would support R&D initiatives to be undertaken, including at the recently announced $96 million RNA Pilot Manufacturing Facility, ensuring the establishment of a globally significant RNA R&D ecosystem in NSW.

“This funding provides strategic support to strengthen NSW’s sovereign capability in designing and manufacturing RNA therapeutics to combat everything from pandemics to cancer and genetic diseases,” Mr Kean said.

Director of the NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance Professor Pall Thordarson from UNSW Sydney welcomed the announcement.

“We are delighted to see the very strong support from the NSW government for RNA research and development and the close collaboration between the NSW state government and the 14 universities in NSW and ACT through the NSW RNA Bioscience Alliance. This investment is crucial to our shared vision to advance NSW as a global leader in the RNA ecosystem,” he said.

As a taste of what is to come, Professor Thordarson said, the NSW RNA Production and Research Network (NSW-RPRN) – a collaboration between UNSW, UTS, Macquarie University, ANU, the University of Sydney and several medical research institutes – is already running collaborative projects on RNA-based COVID-19 antivirals and RNA lung delivery to treat infections and lung cancer.  

Together the 14 universities will also provide excellent opportunities for national and international companies in the sector to advance the development of new products for human and animal health.  

“UNSW with its flagship UNSW RNA Institute stands ready and eager with all the other universities within the NSW RNA Bioscience alliance to work with the state government and industry to make NSW a global hub in the RNA ecosystem,” said Professor Thordarson.