Brisbane's new biotech drugs base
FIRST ON 7: Experts in Brisbane are soon to begin developing pioneering new drugs that will repair hearts and help fight cancer.
Up to 50 scientists and engineers have moved into a multi-million dollar facility where they will trial and produce the innovative therapies.
"What we haven't had in Australia for a very long time is the capacity to manufacture drugs and commercialise drugs here," says Tertia Dex of DSM Biologics.
The state government contributed 7 million of the 65 million dollars needed to get the facility up and running.
"This is exactly the sort of thing Queensland needs to be investing in," says science minister Ian Walker
"A great product for the community and a great thing for Queensland to be at the cutting edge of," he added.
The centre, the first of its kind in Australia, has the capacity to produce 70 batches of biopharmaceuticals a year - which equates to millions of doses.
It is hoped the drugs will provide new treatments for cystic fibrosis and improve survival rates for heart attack patients.
The facility is also being used to redevelop cancer drugs to make them more affordable and widely available in hospitals around the world.
David Hughes, CEO of BioPharmaceuticals Australia, said "These are companies that have products that are, by definition, new to the world."
"Facilities like these bring home the bacon in the sense of delivering real outcomes."
The first stages of manufacturing will begin in September.
