Victoria’s new mRNA accelerator unveiled

Biotech News: A world-first platform has been unveiled in Victoria that could see vaccines and therapeutic treatments developed faster by being able to rapidly assess their potential inflammation side effects.

Hudson Institute of Medical Research’s RNAte Services represents a paradigm shift in the assessment of the innate immune response, employing state-of-the-art technology to predict immunoreactivity in mRNA/RNA candidate therapeutics and vaccines during both pre-clinical and clinical stages of development. This innovation provides a unique advantage, enabling researchers, clinicians, biotech companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and regulators to confidently fast-track new treatments for rare, emerging, or existing diseases at an unprecedented speed and depth.

The Minister for Economic Growth, Tim Pallas, announced the Victorian Government’s investment of $1.94 million in the RNAte platform, emphasising the potential impact on public health and the resilience of the local supply chain.

“This strategic investment by the Victorian Government will see effective vaccines developed faster and manufactured right here in Victoria, protecting the public against future pandemics and safeguarding against supply-chain disruptions,” stated Mr Pallas. “The development of technology like the RNAte platform in Victoria proves that we are a leading destination for biotechnology investment, research, and talent, and ensures we remain at the forefront of mRNA innovation.”

Professor Elizabeth Hartland, CEO, and Director of the Hudson Institute, expressed gratitude to the Minister and the Victorian Government for their financial support, acknowledging the significance of their contribution to this project.

“We are excited to offer our unique expertise to the mRNA/RNA industry, allowing rapid and high throughput testing for immunoreactivity of new mRNA/RNA products,” Professor Hartland said. “The RNAte Platform will accelerate the development of new vaccines or therapeutics in Victoria and the region.”

In addition to the rapid development of vaccines, Professor Hartland highlighted the broader potential of mRNA and nucleic acid-based therapeutics in transforming the treatment of various diseases, including chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer. Importantly, she emphasised the critical need to ensure that “newly developed RNA-based products do not trigger unexpected responses from the innate immune system”.

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