Western Australia will establish Australia’s first dedicated RNA development centre for cancer treatments after $2 million was invested by the state government.
Molecular cell biologist and UWA school of human sciences professor Archa Fox will lead the establishment of the facility, the RNA Foundry, as the first recipient of funding Future Health Research and Innovation Fund.
The foundry forms part of a national network of RNA production centre nodes established to support and accelerate the translation of RNA discoveries into treatments but will be the first centre established to focus on applying RNA technology to oncology treatments.
It will see researchers and innovators collaborate with oncologists, consumers and patient advocates to design, produce, test and improve pilot RNA products under one roof.
RNA technology was propelled to the forefront of the medtech world during the COVID-19 pandemic with its use in vaccine production.
Professor Fox, who will lead the centre, has been chair of the RNA Network of Australia since 2015, and in 2020 become the International RNA Society director.
Medical Research minister Stephen Dawson said investment in initiative like the RNA Foundry was critical to ensure WA has the capability and expertise to capitalise o health and medical research.
“This co-investment will lead to improvements in health and medical policy, practice, improved patient care and ultimately better health outcomes for Western Australians,” he said.
“It will also advance WA as a centre of high-quality training and research, attracting students and talented researchers to our state.”
The FHRI Fund was established in 2020 and is backed by the state’s $1.8 billion sovereign wealth fund.
Some $250 million will be made available over the next four years to support health and medical research and innovation in WA.