News

University has leading role in Bio21 initiative

Media Release, Monday 26 June 2000

The University of Melbourne is playing a leading role in the $400 million Bio 21 project - Australia's largest and most sophisticated biomedical research and biotechnological development

Bio21, an initiative of the University of Melbourne, is designed to take Australia's cutting-edge biomedical research and technology into commercial development, significantly strengthening Australia's performance in this area.

The Premier Mr Steve Bracks, this week announced the first stage of the Bio21 biotechnology precinct in Parkville. The Minister of State and Regional Development, Mr John Brumby, and the Minister for Health, Mr John Thwaites, attended the launch.

Bio 21 brings together the Victorian Government and founding partners, the University of Melbourne, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, with a range of major partners and collaborators including other medical research institutes and Monash University, and leading biotechnology industry interests.

It will be funded by the University of Melbourne ($50 million), the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research ($4 million), the Victorian Government ($50 million), private investors and developers ($262 million) and philanthropic donations ($34 million).

Its health-focussed program has attracted involvement from five University of Melbourne faculties - Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Veterinary Science, Institute of Land and Food Resources, Science and Engineering.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Gilbert, welcomes the University's opportunity to be part of Bio 21 which brings public and private biomedical interests into a common framework to deliver enhanced, health-focussed biotechnology outcomes for Victoria -- and Australia.

"Bio 21 will create an unparalleled resource for Melbourne's medical researchers in developing new approaches to commercial applications of their work," he said.

Professor Gilbert said that the University's commitment to Bio 21 is reflected in its decision to establish an Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, a major new institute within Bio 21. The University is putting $50 million into a purpose-built, 21st century R&D facility to house the Institute. It will be located at the Western Precinct, corner of Flemington Road and Park Drive. Š2/

New health-focussed research leading to commercial outcomes will be generated in the Institute, building on the University's considerable research strengths and strategic interests in biomedical, clinical, dental, veterinary and health-related agricultural science and biotechnology.

The Institute - with a core of University of Melbourne research groups experienced in the necessary 'platform technologies' - - will be a resource for the wider community of researchers in biotechnology-focussed areas.

The core groups collectively have specialist technical expertise and strong track records in the platform technologies of molecular and cell biology, applied genomics, proteomics and related sciences, engineering, bioinformatics, biological testing and clinical trials.

Access to the Institute's platform technologies will be overseen by a management board with representatives from the universities, research institutes, industry and the Victorian Department of State and Regional Development.

Launching Bio21 this week, Premier Steve Bracks congratulated the University of Melbourne and its partners for the "courage and leadership" in developing the Bio21 concept.

He said that a KPMG study showed the Bio21 investment would create:

thousands of new jobs annually;
investment estimated to be worth $38 million a year;
at least 10 new biotech companies annually and potentially many more;
millions of dollars worth of highly lucrative smart exports annually; and
an improved standing for Australia's international reputation for innovation.
The University is located in the heart of the Bio 21 precinct which focuses on the Haymarket (the Elizabeth Street, Flemington Road, Royal Parade junction) extending along Flemington Road to the Western (Veterinary) Precinct and along the 'Parkville Strip'.

The University's outstanding track record in biotechnology research and development is exemplified in:

the Bionic Ear which has brought hearing to thousands of profoundly deaf children and adults. It was developed by a team led by University otolaryngologist, Professor Graeme Clark, and
Recaldent , a milk-based bioactive food ingredient which can re-mineralise teeth and bones, Now added to chewing gum and toothpaste, Recaldent was developed by Professor Eric Reynolds' team in Dental Science.