It had a business case and wanted to demonstrate Queensland’s “Smart State” credentials amid a debate over Australia’s capacity to produce home-grown vaccines.
Professor Frazer,the TRI’s inaugural chief executive,recounted his own experiences as co-creator of the cervical cancer vaccine,which could only be tested and manufactured overseas.
“We want to be seen as world leaders,” Frazer said of the project.
The TRI had already raised $20 million andconvinced the Queensland government to commit another $20 million.
While the TRI was hopeful of securing $20 million from the Commonwealth’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative,its application under the translation stream was unsuccessful.
The TRI followed up with an application under the collaboration stream,but was again unsuccessful.