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GlaskoSmithKline opens pilot vaccine facility in eastern Melbourne that uses ground breaking technology for the delivery of vaccines
(UNITED KINGDOM 2016)
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) opens a pilot vaccine facility in eastern Melbourne to further develop blow-fill-seal technology for vaccines.
The pilot facility is the result of GSK Australia collaborating with Monash University to develop a new way to use blow-fill-seal (BFS) to manufacture vaccines. GSK’s team in Melbourne worked with Monash University and global vaccine experts in Belgium to develop a new technique to preserve the sterility of vaccines in mass production.
The new BFS technology forms a container, fills and then seals it to maintain high assurance of sterility.
Putting the vaccine in (blow-fill-seal) containers has the potential to deliver the product in a more compact, robust container and it has a much smaller carbon footprint compared to current methodology.” The process will reduce the cost of manufacturing vaccines and assist in making life-saving vaccines more affordable in developing countries.
Geoff McDonald - General Manager, GSK Australia
The project success was due to bringing together world-class infrastructure and a multi-disciplinary team.
To support the first run of commercial production of vaccines with the blow-fill-seal technology GSK has invested $7.7 million in the new facility. It is supported by a $1 million grant through the Federal Government’s Manufacturing Transition Programme.
Monash leads the development of a world-class Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) as part of the Victorian Government’s Future Industries initiative
Based on a proven model of success between Monash University and GSK with the BFS project, the MMIC is a partnership initiative between the Victorian State Government and Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (MIPS).
Located in the Parkville precinct, MMIC provides clients with access to world-class infrastructure and a multidisciplinary team to deliver economic impact and competitiveness to the state. It offers specialist analytical and formulation development services, utilising state-of-the art technology and expertise in product development and industrialisation in the areas of:
- Pharmaceutical products
- Veterinary products
- Medical devices
- Complimentary medicines
- Nutraceutical
- Cosmetics
- Personal health care products
Key success include:
- Oral solid form doses
- Aerosol dose forms
- Colloidal & dispersed systems, aqueous and lipid systems
- Sterile aqueous liquids for blow-fill-seal manufacturing
Source: https://au.gsk.com/en-au/behind-the-science/innovation/vaccine-innovation-through-collaboration/
