Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Development Platform

Ensuring New Zealand has well-connected and world-class research capability to strengthen the use and commercialisation of RNA technology.

The Platform is co‐hosted by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland, supported by the University of Otago and the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. The Platform will make use of and develop existing capabilities nationwide.

The establishment of an Aotearoa New Zealand RNA technology platform will capitalise on the exciting opportunities initially presented by mRNA to build scientific expertise, capability, and self‐sufficiency in an end‐to‐end RNA technology platform for Aotearoa/New Zealand. This science and technology platform will support New Zealand's capability in the design and production of RNA therapeutics and vaccines. It will also bring together the best cross‐disciplinary and cross‐institutional experts and teams, connect New Zealand researchers to relevant international efforts and developments, and assist New Zealand companies to deliver new RNA products and services. Ultimately, it will provide a new degree of resilience for New Zealand, as we would have the ability to rapidly develop and manufacture a vaccine for New Zealand and our Pacific neighbours in the case of a future global pandemic.