Murdoch University and spin-out company Orthocell have opened a common-user access research laboratory to assist the development and commercialisation of cell therapies, Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan announced today.
Murdoch University and spin-out company Orthocell have opened a common-user access research laboratory to assist the development and commercialisation of cell therapies, Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan announced today.
An announcement from Mr Logan's office is pasted below
Western Australia's 'cleanest shed' has been transformed into a sterile laboratory to further develop local biotechnology research.
Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan today opened 'the shed', WA's first common-user access research and commercialisation clean-room laboratory at Murdoch University.
"This important facility will provide Western Australia's biotechnology industry with clean rooms to conduct much needed research, clinical trials and commercialisation activities," Mr Logan said.
"It might look like a shed from the outside, but inside there are two ultra-clean rooms with interlocking air lock doors separating the bacteria from the outside world to create the cleanest environment possible.
"This purpose-built laboratory will assist the development and commercialisation of cell therapies and other biotherapeutic interventions in a fully regulated clean-room environment."
The Good Manufacturing Practice pilot facility was developed by WA biotechnology company OrthoCell, with the support of the Department of Industry and Resources and the Murdoch Westscheme Enterprise Partnership investment fund.
The Minister said the State Government was committed to diversifying Western Australia's economy by building a solid biotechnology industry and had provided $300,000 to help develop the facility for the benefit of the entire industry.
OrthoCell chief executive officer Paul Anderson said the facility had been established to meet the strict standards of the Therapeutics Goods Administration and international regulators.
"This means clinical trials and cellular therapies manufactured in the clean rooms will produce the highest quality product possible," Mr Anderson said.
OrthoCell will use one of the clean rooms to produce tendon therapies for clinical trial development and the commercialisation of this research licensed from the University of Western Australia.
"Our research focuses on biological therapies for tissue repair and regeneration for tendons, one of the most common forms of musculoskeletal ailments in the body," Mr Anderson said.
"We could not conduct this research and technology development without this facility.
"OrthoCell was looking to relocate to Queensland or Victoria but, with the help of the WA Government, we were able to stay in Perth."
Mr Logan said the design and construction of the facility provided an innovative, cost-effective model that could be used in the development of future biotechnology infrastructure.
"The facility will be used as a study to determine if the concept could be utilised to meet the need for other important biotechnology infrastructure," he said.
"I would like to thank OrthoCell and Murdoch University for developing the concept that will not only benefit their exciting research, but will provide the entire WA industry and research community with much needed infrastructure."
