Australia could become a world leader in RNA biotech, with the right planning. 

Experts say Australia should establish a national mission for the whole RNA science and technology pipeline in Australia, driven by strategic investment and prioritisation across funding schemes.

The group, comprising 38 experts in RNA biology and biotechnology from the Australian university and research sectors, made the call during a recent industry summit. 

Australia is already a world leader in RNA research discoveries, including the discovery of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence, enabling high yields of cloned medicines such as insulin and growth hormone, or CSIRO/Peter Waterhouse’s RNAi technology to shut down or turn off genes to protect plants and animals from diseases.

But it will take concerted efforts to push the nation into the future of RNA science, developing technologies for personalised RNA medicine to treat cancer and neurodegenerative disease, or delivering RNA to plants to help them adapt to a changing climate.

The group also called for the establishment of a local mixed manufacturing ecosystem, including pilot facilities to enable new Australian products to be translated, production of pre-clinical trial components and a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing capability to support clinical trials.

Professor John Mattick from UNSW Sydney says Australia has clear potential to be a leader in RNA-based products.

“However, the success of RNA based technology in the rapid development of safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19 has drawn sustained public interest in the technology,” said Professor Mattick, who is also a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

“With the first commercially approved mRNA-based vaccine products there is now considerable potential for the development of more advanced uses of RNA therapies and technologies, including the treatment of disorders such as arthritis, cancer and malaria and administering RNA to plants and animals to improve productivity and reduce environmental pressures.

“Australia has an opportunity to create an innovative RNA research and development ‘ecosystem’ and become a global player in this disruptive industry, creating and manufacturing high-value RNA-based products here, and exporting them to the world.”

The report from the industry roundtable is accessible here.