Australia’s largest biologics site destined for Brisbane
15 December 2011
Brisbane will house a major biopharmaceutical manufacturing site with a new collaboration announced between the Queensland Government, The University of Queensland and DSM Biologics.
The Dutch life science and material firm, Royal DSM, will collaborate with the university’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) to develop the next generation of human therapeutics.
These drugs, called biologics, use DNA technology to treat a wide range of diseases including cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The manufacturing facility – expected to be operational in 2013 – will receive funding from both the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments with the state government pledging A$7 million as part of its 10 year Biotechnology Strategic Plan.
Announcing the collaboration, Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, said the partnership between AIBN and DSM Biologics will create an important link between biopharmaceutical research and the manufacture of vital therapies.
“The collaboration brings the weight of AIBN’s existing research strength and matches it with DSM Biologics commitment to the BioPharmaceuticals Australia facility,” Ms Bligh said.
“It gives DSM Biologics a ready-made market of research projects that are ready to move to the commercialisation stage.”
DSM Biologics President Karen King said the collaboration will deepen its connection with leading researchers and significantly enhance the company’s service offering.
“This will be an important continuation and expansion of the services we currently provide out of our facility in Groningen, The Netherlands,” Ms King said.
“The expertise at AIBN is very complementary to DSM’s skills. AIBN has world-class experience in mammalian cell line development.”
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