Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino has announced that Melbourne is among the top three leading cities in medical research and biotechnology. The state has secured a deal with Moderna that will see it produce millions of mRNA vaccine doses each year. The federal government has announced that a plant will be built to produce 25 million doses of Moderna’s vaccine, including booster shots, each year from 2024.
During a media conference on Tuesday, Mr Merlino stated that this is a significant announcement and that Melbourne is the place to be, along with Boston and London. He added that Melbourne and Victoria have at least 30,000 jobs in medical research and biotechnology across the industry, universities, and institutes. Additionally, 40% of the nation’s medical technology and biotechnology companies are based in Melbourne.
Mr Merlino said that this deal with Moderna is logical and exciting, and Melbourne is the perfect place to do it. He emphasized that this announcement is a massive step forward for the state’s biotechnology industry and will bring enormous benefits, not only in terms of employment but also in terms of the region’s reputation as a leader in medical research and biotechnology.
This announcement is particularly significant given the current global pandemic situation. The Moderna vaccine has proven to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19 infections and has been authorized for use in many countries worldwide. By producing millions of doses each year, Melbourne will be contributing significantly to the global effort to end the pandemic and safeguard public health.
In conclusion, Melbourne’s position as a leader in medical research and biotechnology is set to be further enhanced with the announcement of the Moderna vaccine deal. This is a major step forward for the state’s biotechnology industry and will have significant positive impacts on both the economy and public health.
