This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
MULTIPLEX has been appointed by Moderna to build its large-scale mRNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Melbourne’s Monash Technology precinct, where new COVID vaccines will be produced, as well as giving Australian onshore mRNA manufacturing capability in the event of a new pandemic.
The facility is located adjacent to Monash University’s Clayton campus on the corner of Blackburn and Wellington Roads and is being established under a 10-year partnership between the global biotechnology company and the Australian and Victorian governments.
It is expected to be the first facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
Designed by architects Greenbox, CRB and IPS, the 16,500 sqm facility comprises pharmaceutical-grade space including drug substance (DS) and drug product (DP) areas. It also includes laboratories, administration areas with office space and employee amenities, as well as a warehouse with loading dock.
The facility is will produce up to 100 million vaccine doses each year, including vaccines for COVID, as well as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“It’s an exciting development and a game-changer for the Australian biotech industry,” Multiplex regional managing director, Ross Snowball said.
The facility also has extensive landscaping and green areas including outdoor seating, bike parking, pathways around the building plus on-site parking for 103 cars, which has been master planned to provide EV charges for all car parks.
Multiplex has delivered life science and bio-health infrastructure works including the Monash Biomedical Learning & Teaching Building and Doherty Institute.
Work commenced to break ground for the facility in late 2022 and construction is expected to be completed in 2024. The project is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation.
