SMART move: UQ to host national push for next-gen therapy manufacturing

The Federal Government has announced the Solutions for Manufacturing Advanced Regenerative Therapies (SMART) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), to bolster Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities.

The SMART CRC will help Australian companies bring a 10-year pipeline of life-changing therapies to market, creating an estimated $4.5 billion in economic value and 1500 skilled jobs.

Interim Chief Executive Officer Professor Simon Cool, an international leader in the field from UQ's School of Chemical Engineering, said bottlenecks in manufacturing currently hinder Australia’s access to curative regenerative therapies.

“There is a significant shortage of technical expertise in manufacturing, quality control, analytics, and process development, something that is standing in the way of transformative therapies benefitting Australians,” Professor Cool said.

“The SMART CRC will directly target these gaps by harnessing the scientific and technological expertise of 63 partners and ensuring these next-generation treatments can be scaled up effectively, ready for use in the clinic.”

Partners include Queensland and South Australian governments, regenerative therapy and biotechnology companies, healthcare providers, non-government organisations, universities and research institutes.

Interim Chair, Dr Leanna Read, said the SMART CRC would accelerate Australia’s regenerative therapy manufacturing ecosystem—from product innovation to supply chain and end-users.

“By expanding Australia’s capacity to manufacture curative treatments for conditions like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and other age-related ailments, the SMART CRC will relieve pressure on our hospital systems and contribute to the health and longevity of Australians,” Dr Read said.

“This centre will mature Australia’s sovereign manufacturing pipeline and anchor companies and their technology onshore, instead of relying on foreign supply chains.”

Projects supported by the SMART CRC will range from products close to commercialisation to high-impact platform technologies, with industry matching government and research funding.

As host of the SMART CRC, UQ has a track record of early phase innovation and significant capability in biomedical manufacturing including in mRNA, stem cells and proteins, and hosts multiple national research facilities through NCRIS.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the centre would position Australia as a global leader in manufacturing technologies, and provide a lasting impact on industries, driving progress and improving the lives of all Australians.

“SMART CRC’s integrated research streams will enhance adoption of technologies while ensuring Australia has the skilled workforce needed for the regenerative therapy manufacturing ecosystem,” she said.

“We look forward to collaborating with the many partners to mature Australia’s sovereign manufacturing pipeline.”