The Victorian Government is funding next-generation mRNA medicine research.

Minister for Economic Growth Tim Pallas has announced that more than 15 Victorian research teams will share in $2.1 million from the mRNA Victoria Research Acceleration Fund. 

The funding should help local research teams advance mRNA technology for vaccines and medicines, aiming to address diseases such as HIV, inflammatory conditions, and hard-to-treat cancers.

St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research will receive $100,000 to develop new treatments for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using mRNA editing technology. 

This condition affects over five million Australians and is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Other grant recipients include local biotech start-up Messenger Bio, which will work on mRNA therapeutics for genetic brain diseases. 

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute will receive funding to investigate advancing gene therapy to treat inflammatory diseases.

With biotechnology companies BioNTech and Moderna establishing major hubs in Victoria, the state seeks to position itself as a centre for mRNA research and manufacturing. 

The state says Victoria is responsible for almost 60 per cent of Australia’s pharmaceutical exports and supports more than 100,000 full-time jobs in the biotech sector.