National RNA Development Platform hits milestone with 500 products made for human, plant and animal health research

Malaghan Institute Director and Co-Director of the RNA Development Platform, Professor Kjesten Wiig, says the national capability being built within the platform and uptake of RNA technology is opening doors for new treatments for a wide range of diseases and providing a new degree of resilience and self-sufficiency for New Zealand. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic showed the world what RNA technology can do and this platform is making sure New Zealand doesn’t get left behind. It’s about uniting the country's best scientific minds across disciplines and institutions to develop novel, safe and effective RNA therapeutics and vaccines, plugging New Zealand researchers into global efforts, and helping local companies deliver new RNA products and services.”

Developed off the back of capability built during the pandemic by Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand, in 2023 government funding of $70M over seven years supercharged the advancement of this revolutionary field in New Zealand. The platform is hosted by Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington and Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, supported by the Malaghan Institute and Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou – the University of Otago.Today, the RNA Development Platform produces RNA for use in clinical and commercial research across New Zealand’s biotech sector including human, plant and animal health and for overseas clients. With 500 products now produced since its inception as part of VAANZ, the team is looking ahead to producing the next 500 more rapidly and efficiently, supporting more researchers and projects locally and globally.

"The first 500 have been some of the most challenging products to make as they involved setting up of a laboratory, tracking systems, optimising manufacturing methods, building the team and becoming a national production facility,” says RNA Development Platform Pillar Lead Dr Rebecca McKenzie from the Malaghan Institute. 

“Now that we're here we can really focus on reaching a wider audience and enabling more research which downstream should create more opportunities for translation into real-world treatments to improve human, animal and plant health.”