Academic and biotechnology industry alliance wins $300,000 grant

The Victorian Government has provided $300,000 to the Victorian Infection and Immunity Network (VIIN) as part of its Collaborative Networks Pilot Program to encourage the development of partnerships between academic and industry groups and to accelerate industry’s adoption of new technologies.

The VIIN is jointly convened by Professor Paul Hertzog from the Monash Institute of Medical Research and Professor Elizabeth Hartland from the University of Melbourne.

The VIIN Industry Alliance will fund industry-driven collaborative projects for innovation in infection and immunity, broker international linkages for Victorian biotechnology firms, showcase research and development for commercial uptake, and help place student and graduate scientists in industry.

“This initiative will address the perceived gap in bidirectional interactions between industry and academia, enhance the education and training of a highly skilled workforce and refine the commercial acumen of academic research programs,” said Professor Hertzog.

The network represents more than 900 infection and immunity scientists from Victoria’s major universities and research institutions, the Victorian Government’s peak bodies for science and technology, and has links with national and international organisations.  

“Having already established strong membership and activities, VIIN has positioned itself to form an industry alliance with businesses interested in cutting-edge platform technologies and innovative research,” said Professor Hartland. 

Victorian infection and immunity scientists have an outstanding record of success, having won more than $35 million in the NHMRC’s recent funding announcements, and Victoria is home to nearly half of Australia’s biotechnology companies.

Dr Andrew Nash, Senior Vice-President, Research, CSL, said the VIIN Industry Alliance is an invaluable opportunity for Victorian firms operating in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and laboratory supply sectors to engage the expertise of VIIN’s scientists.

“With the pharmaceutical sector changing its business models to involve external collaborations, this initiative will bring together Victorian researchers, institutions and firms to be part of this new innovation trend,” Dr Nash said.

The VIIN Industry Alliance has been funded initially for two years and is one of only four networks sharing in $1.2 million of DBI support.