A biopharmaceuticals company will build a new $352 million plasma manufacturing facility in Springfield – a major economic and scientific injection into the region.
Plasma therapeutics company Aegros, currently based in Sydney, will establish its global headquarters and new facility at BioPark Australia, in Augustine Heights – the cutting-edge industrial zone central to Greater Springfield’s fast-growing master-developed Knowledge Precinct.
The company will develop and manufacture lifesaving therapeutic blood products, while bringing with it hundreds of jobs, according to Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick.
“Therapies produced from the plasma in blood can help fight infection or diseases such as Lupus and Type 1 diabetes, can promote blood clotting, prevent shock, and assist with post-surgical recovery,” Mr Dick said.
“I congratulate Aegros on their move north, which will bring more good, highly-skilled jobs for Queenslanders.
“Once Aegros has secured all necessary approvals and finance, the two-year construction will support an estimated 230 jobs.
“Aegros estimates that its facility will create 348 long-term jobs across its first four years of operation.”
It will join biotech companies Cytivia and Southern RNA – currently in the planning stages of development and construction – and situated a relatively short distance from the University of Southern Queensland campus in Springfield Central.
The move was made possible thanks to the state government’s ‘Invested in Queensland’ program, a $520 million earmark for private sector investment across a range of industries.
The development is particularly significant because Australia currently imports almost half of the essential plasma and blood products used to develop biopharmaceuticals.
“Aegros also aims to capture some of the $19 billion global export market for therapeutic plasma products,” Mr Dick added.
“Guided by the vision of the Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, Queensland is consolidating its credentials as a leading location for significant biomedical and health investment.
“Attracting new investment in Queensland is a major priority for the government with a range of investment programs available to support significant projects and create new jobs for Queenslanders.”
Jordan MP Charis Mullen said Aegros’ decision to establish their headquarters and production facility in Springfield was a vote of confidence in the region.
“It is terrific that we have been able to attract this significant bio-manufacturing facility to Greater Springfield – a new industry which will see the potential of hundreds of additional skilled jobs created locally.”
Plasma is the straw-coloured liquid component of blood, containing plasma proteins that are separated, purified, and concentrated for different therapeutic uses, in a process known as ‘fractionation’.
Aegros founder Professor Hari Nair said the company was thrilled to be establishing its facility in Queensland and taking the commercialisation of its technology to the next level.
“[This] has been a 30-year journey for myself and my business partner, John Manusu,” he said.
“[It will] increase Australia’s ability to meet its own demand for plasma products, reduce the reliance on overseas supply chains, reduce costs for Australian patients, and to develop and deliver fast responses whenever another pandemic arises.
“Coupled with Aegros’ significant R&D capability, in collaboration with Queensland’s medical community and universities we are looking to develop new plasma therapies to address diseases with unmet therapeutic needs.
“In this way Aegros is also proud to be able to contribute to the country’s future pandemic preparedness.”
Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby said BioPark Australia precinct in Springfield was the ideal location to establish the new facility due to the growing advanced bio-manufacturing industry, skilled workforce and strong local support.
“This new facility will be the first project delivered as part of the new BioPark Australia precinct,” Mr Sinnathamby said
“Dedicated to attracting industries across commercial, education, health, innovation technology and lifestyle sectors, we envision that other biomedical and innovative companies will soon join Aegros here in Greater Springfield.
“We are very excited about this project and a number of other high-profile projects currently in development in Greater Springfield.”
Consulting group RPS Australia estimates that, by 2026, over 5,000 engineers, scientists and ICT professionals will be living in or near Greater Springfield, and over 7,000 by 2036.
Banner image: At the announcement, on November 25, 2022, were Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby, Jordan MP and Assistant Treasury Minister Charis Mullen, Treasurer Cameron Dick, and Aegros Founding Executive Chair Professor Hari Nair. Image: Cameron Dick MP.
