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Food supply

Australia Develops Breakthrough Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccine with Local Manufacturing Capacity

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Minns Labor Government in New South Wales has joined forces with international biotechnology leader, Tiba BioTech, to develop a fast-producing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine, marking a world-first in Australia. This vaccine will enable the country to produce its own FMD vaccine, protecting the state's $8 billion livestock industry and Australia's food security. The development is part of the Minns Government's $1 billion biosecurity plan, following a significant investment of $20 million from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the NSW Government.

Key Takeaways:

  • The vaccine is an mRNA vaccine, unique in being fully synthetic, making it safer and faster to produce, capable of being manufactured without the use of infectious material.
  • The vaccine development took less than 18 months and cost approximately $2.5 million.
  • The project is a consortium of local and international partners, including Tiba Biotech, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Meat & Livestock Australia, and the German Friedrich-Loeffler Institut.
  • The vaccine is undergoing further testing to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness for use in an emergency if an FMD incursion were to occur in Australia.
  • Local manufacture of mRNA animal vaccines is supported by the University of NSW's RNA Institute, which has demonstrated capacity for mRNA vaccine manufacturing.
  • Recent overseas trials showed vaccinated cattle did not contract the disease and did not shed the virus to infect others.
  • The vaccine's development aims to protect Australia's livestock industries, economy, and food supply from the catastrophic impact of FMD, which could disrupt meat supply and exports, costing the Australian economy up to $80 billion.
  • Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW, Tara Moriarty, stated the vaccine delivery is part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to safeguarding livestock industries and ensuring the state's agriculture can thrive.
  • Meat & Livestock Australia Managing Director, Michael Crowley, highlighted the vaccine research as a proactive approach to managing biosecurity risk, given FMD's presence in nearby countries and the potential for significant disruptions.
  • Tiba Biotech's Chief Financial Officer, Peter McGrath, emphasized the vaccine's advantages, including long-term storage capabilities and a safe, efficient approach to enhancing animal health.

Statistics:

  • $2.5 million - the approximate cost of vaccine development
  • $20 million - the overall project funding from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the NSW Government
  • $1 billion - the Minns Government's biosecurity plan
  • $80 billion - the potential cost to the Australian economy if FMD were to disrupt meat supply and exports
  • Less than 18 months - the time taken to develop the vaccine
  • $8 billion - the value of the New South Wales livestock industry
  • $1.05 billion - the historic investment by the Minns Government into biosecurity
  • $100 million - the additional funding for modernizing the state's research and development program

Sources:

  • Government of New South Wales: News Release
  • Meat & Livestock Australia: Comments by Managing Director, Michael Crowley
  • Tiba Biotech: Comments by Chief Financial Officer, Peter McGrath
  • NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development: Comments by Virology Laboratory Manager, Dr Peter Kirkland

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