WORKPLACE HEALTH & SAFETY Canberra offers to help industry manufacture mRNA vaccines The Australian Government is offering to partner with industry so that the country has the opportunity to produce mRNA vaccines and, potentially, other therapeutic products, using this technology. In a joint announcement with Minister for Health Greg Hunt, newly appointed Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Christian Porter said the Government was inviting key commercial providers and potential providers to demonstrate their future capability and explain what government involvement, assistance or support could make that capacity a reality. “We know that mRNA is an extremely promising branch of medical science and we know from work already undertaken that Australian businesses and researchers are developing mRNA capacity,” Minister Porter said. “However our market analysis also shows there are gaps and challenges to scale-up, which mean it’s not currently possible to commercially manufacture mRNA treatments locally.” He said the Government was taking a two-pronged approach to establishing this capability. “We are continuing negotiations with existing manufacturers while also
approaching the market for others that can potentially provide viable solutions. “This partnership approach will ultimately help us secure the best mRNA capability for Australians while delivering economic benefits, improving health outcomes for Australians and creating high paying jobs for the future.” He said that while mRNA vaccines were already a key pillar of the Government’s vaccine strategy, mRNA technology had the potential to treat many other diseases including cancer, the flu, and cardiovascular disease. “This approach to market builds on work already undertaken to understand Australia’s vaccine manufacturing capability, including a manufacturing audit undertaken last year and a business case. “Both these will provide a strong evidence base on which to assess proposals as we work to build capability here at home.”
onshore population scale mRNA capability; • demonstrated access to necessary intellectual property for manufacturing processes, technology transfer and production at scale; • capacity to make products available to the Australian Government as required and in priority over any other purchaser;
The Government is seeking proposals that will establish an end-to-end sustainable capability. Requirements that applicants will need to address include:
• the ability to deliver secure supply of population scale mRNA vaccines, including to scale up production to respond to reasonably foreseeable health emergencies and issues;
• the submission of fully costed proposals to establish an end-to-end
• the ability to deliver secure supply of other therapeutic mRNA based
treatments of a type and scale that may be needed to respond to the reasonably foreseeable health needs of the Australian community; • the sustainability of the facility over 10 years and an undertaking to maintain the capability onshore on an ongoing basis; • a commitment to collaborate and build and maintain working relationships with the Australian research community; and • opportunities for exporting vaccinations and treatments, both commercially and in support of our region, during any future health emergencies.
Workplace Health & Safety Show returns to Sydney in September
The Workplace Health & Safety Show will return to Sydney in September, bringing with it trusted industry pioneers and groundbreaking newcomers who will share news on current trends, research, progressive technology, processes and products that are redefining the world of safety. It will run from Tuesday 7 to Wednesday 8 at the Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush.
With the support of SafeWork NSW and the Australian Institute of Health and Safety, the Workplace Health & Safety Show is Australia’s paramount workplace health and safety event. The event guarantees a live, intuitive two-way learning experience with an expo including more than 100 companies, proactive discussions and forums, driven by the industry’s best, and providing insight into everything from workplace mental wellbeing to creative
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new technologies and the consistently changing universe of safety laws. ‘’With an eagerness for vendors to take part in face-to-face events again, I am delighted to announce the Workplace Health & Safety Show will return to Sydney on 7-8 September in 2021,” said Marie Kinsella, CEO, International Exhibition & Conference Group. “We are delighted to have the presence of Australia’s leading suppliers in workplace health and safety exhibiting their new products releases at the Sydney event, including major exhibition sponsor Skytrust,” said Kinsella. The opportunity to hear from industry leaders through a personalised and interactive environment has always been key to the Workplace Health & Safety Show’s success, and the 2021 event will be no different. “We have made sure to expand on educational presentations in this year’s
interactive forums and panel discussions to cover the topics on the national agenda, such as innovation, technology, significant hazards, mental wellbeing, and injury prevention, just to name a few,” said Kinsella. “2020 was certainly an extremely tough year for all of us. As the ripple effects from Covid-19 move through the community, there has been a significant toll on mental health,” Kinsella continued. “Keeping the same in mind, mental health as a priority at workplace will be a crucial focal point of Workplace Health & Safety Show 2021.” The Workplace Health & Safety Show is open for all safety managers and safety officers from various industries, including manufacturing, building/ construction, mining, councils/local government, hospitals, transport, and more.
Marie Kinsella, CEO at IEC Group.
This year’s event will also see the launch of the Modern Manufacturing Expo, co-located at the Workplace Health & Safety Show. The Modern Manufacturing Expo will bring together a showcase of the latest advanced products and technologies for Australian manufacturers. Registration to attend the Workplace Health & Safety Show is free. Register online at www.whss.com.au
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