Australia has taken a significant step toward building sovereign advanced biomanufacturing capability with the official opening of the Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility (VVMF) in Sydney.
The facility is the country’s first and only clinical and commercial-scale viral vector contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO).
Located within the Westmead Health and Innovation Precinct, VVMF is backed by a $134.5 million investment from the New South Wales Government. The facility will strengthen Australia’s ability to support cutting-edge research and attract international investment, while creating high-value jobs and boosting exports.
VVMF will deliver GMP-grade lentiviral (LV) and adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors, providing essential infrastructure for the development of next-generation gene and cell therapies. Its services span vector research and development, construct design and optimisation, process development, pre-clinical and clinical manufacturing of up to 500L, technology transfer, and wraparound support that leverages Australia’s R&D incentives, streamlined regulatory pathways, and world-class clinical trial infrastructure.
The founding scientists, Ian Alexander (Chief Medical Officer) and Leszek Lisowski (Chief Technology Officer), bring deep scientific and clinical expertise to the initiative, bridging the gap between research and clinical application.
VVMF Chief Executive Officer Stephen Thompson said the opening marked a pivotal moment for the sector. “Today we celebrate the official opening of VVMF — Australia’s first viral vector cGMP manufacturing facility,” he said. “This marks a major step forward for the sector, positioning Australia as a leader in advanced biomanufacturing. VVMF strengthens our ability to translate cutting-edge research into commercial therapies and accelerates patients’ access to advanced therapy medicinal products.”
Viral vectors are central to the delivery of genetic material into cells. They are an essential platform for gene and cell therapies used in areas such as oncology, rare diseases and other advanced therapeutic applications. These therapies depend on highly specialised manufacturing capabilities, infrastructure and expertise, areas that VVMF is now positioned to deliver domestically.