The Gold Coast has secured a significant foothold in the global race for personalised medicine, with the arrival of Southern RNA and its international partner, Providence Therapeutics, at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP).
Southern RNA, an Australian contract development and manufacturing organisation specialising in mRNA and advanced RNA-based therapeutics, has relocated its research and development headquarters to Economic Development Queensland’s Cohort Innovation Space within the precinct. Backed by the City of Gold Coast’s Investment and Business Attraction Program, the move signals a push to anchor world-class biotech capability in the region.
Chris Peck, CEO of Southern RNA, stated that the Gold Coast provides the ideal environment to accelerate innovation. “The precinct connects researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs in one place, creating the network we need to translate discovery into therapies faster,” he said. “Our facility here will enable us to move from R&D to clinical trials and full-scale GMP manufacturing, keeping capability and talent onshore.”
Providence Therapeutics, a Canadian biotech developing immunotherapies for cancer, will manufacture treatments locally through the partnership. Chief executive Brad Sorenson, whose son survived late-stage glioblastoma thanks to investigative therapies, said the collaboration would directly benefit patients. “Our immunotherapies are giving children with brain cancer a fighting chance. Partnering with Southern RNA means these treatments can be made here in Australia, without delays, and reach families when they need them most.”
That promise is already evident. Brisbane patient Ian Gillespie, who joined Providence’s personalised cancer vaccine program, described the treatment as transformative. “The treatment has given me hope, dignity and the confidence to look ahead. My health has improved, I’m almost pain-free, and I can focus on living well with my family,” he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the deal underscores the city’s ambition to diversify and strengthen its economy, which is now worth nearly $50 billion annually. “Our health and knowledge sector is at its heart. Through our Investment and Business Attraction Program, Council supports companies like Southern RNA and Providence because we know these partnerships create jobs today and opportunities for tomorrow,” he said.
Craig Rowsell, Director of the GCHKP, said the collaboration epitomised the precinct’s mission to bring together research, industry and government. “The arrival of Southern RNA and Providence Therapeutics is a powerful example of what the precinct was designed to achieve — delivering innovation that has real impact for patients,” he said.
The partnership will also expand Southern RNA’s Medical Research Future Fund-backed work with Griffith University’s Institute for Glycomics. Dr Chris Davis, the Institute’s General Manager, said the proximity would accelerate joint projects. “It will build further knowledge and capability on the Gold Coast in biomedical technologies,” he said.