State partners with world-class med tech company to create Qld jobs

A Queensland medical technology company will manufacture its globally renowned needle-free vaccine technology at a new facility in Northshore Hamilton, creating up to 139 new jobs over 10 years thanks to the Palaszczuk Government.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today announced the government had done a deal with Vaxxas to manufacture its High-Density Micro-projection Array Patch (MAP) vaccine delivery system in greater numbers in Queensland.

“This will create manufacturing jobs here in Queensland in a rapidly growing, global industry,” the Premier said.

“Once this new facility is up and running, Vaxxas expect to manufacture enough needle-free vaccine kits to deliver 300 million doses each year.

“Over the next 10 years, this rate of production is expected to contribute $497 million to the Queensland economy.

“Our government is 100 per cent focused on rebuilding Queensland’s economy and creating local jobs.
 
“This partnership will give a great boost to our economic recovery strategy in the weeks and months to come.”

Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning said attracting and retaining highly-skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing industries like medical technology would be a key part of Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“COVID has reminded us about the importance of Queensland’s economy being resilient and self-reliant and able to adapt,” the Treasurer said.

“Vaxxas is great example of a home-grown success story that we need to retain in Queensland.

“Now more than ever, the world recognises the benefits of being a leader in the development of advanced medical technology.

State Development Minister Kate Jones said to date, the Palaszczuk Government had invested more than $8 billion on initiatives to support business, industry and households in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to rebuild the state’s economy and create jobs.

“We’re investing in growth industries to create the jobs of the future here in Queensland,” Ms Jones said.

“Medical manufacturing is a multi-trillion-dollar industry. Through this partnership, we’ll create jobs in Queensland by tapping into this sector.

“Queensland boasts some of the world’s leading experts in medical technology. The government has a strategy to partner with these experts to commercialise this technology and create jobs.”

Vaxxas CEO David Hoey said Vaxxas will be able to really ramp up production and put the company and Australia at the forefront of vaccination technology worldwide.

“We are grateful for this support as it will create health benefits worldwide,” Mr Hoey said.

Vaxxas has the backing of the World Health Organisation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the pharmaceutical multinational company, Merck.

The MAP vaccine delivery system meets the standards required for licencing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Federal Drug Administration in the US.

Vaxxas grew out of the Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology at The University of Queensland, before relocating to the Translational Research Institute in Woolloongabba.

Construction will be undertaken in the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area in a building owned by Economic Development Queensland so Vaxxas can commence manufacturing in early 2022.

Ms Jones said the project also closely aligns with the Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan.

ENDS

Media contact: Jack Harbour 0419 620 447