IN a major jobs boost for the region Biopharmaceuticals company Aegros has announced it plans to build a $352m manufacturing facility in the Greater Springfield region.
State Trade Minister Cameron Dick said Aegros, which is currently based in Sydney, will establish its global headquarters and a new advanced production facility at BioPark Australia.
The BioPark precinct is located off Augustine Heights Parkway between the Springfield Police Station and Springfield Hyundai.
Springfield City Group Chairman Maha Sinnathamby said the BioPark precinct was the ideal location to establish the new facility due to the growing advanced bio-manufacturing industry, skilled workforce and strong local support.
“This is the first project delivered as part of the precinct and we envisage other biomedical and innovative companies will soon join Aegros here in Greater Springfield,” he said.
Mr Dick said once Aegos had secured all necessary approvals and finance, the two-year construction will support an estimated 230 job and a further 348 long-term jobs across its first four years of operation.
“The company aims to use its unique advanced technology to develop and manufacture lifesaving therapeutic blood products,” he said.
“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.”
The Springfield facility will have the capacity to process one million litres of human plasma per year.
Australia imports almost half of the essential plasma and blood products used to develop biopharmaceuticals, so this new facility will position Aegros to meet the needs of the domestic market.
Aegros also aims to capture some of the $19 billion global export market for therapeutic plasma products.
Plasma is the straw-coloured liquid component of blood, and through a process of fractionation, plasma proteins are separated, purified, and concentrated for different therapeutic uses.
Aegros Founding Executive Chair Professor Hari Nair said the company was thrilled to be taking the commercialisation of its technology to the next level.
“The development of HaemaFrac, our unique fractionation process, has been a 30-year journey for myself and my business partner John Manusu,” Professor Nair said.
“HaemaFrac will be used to 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.
“The global and Australian market for safe, secure and affordable therapeutic plasma and blood products is only increasing.
“Coupled with Aegros’ significant research and development capabilities, 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.”
The support of the Queensland Government’s Invested in Queensland program and Springfield City Group played an important role in Aegros moving forward with the project.
Mr Dick said Aegros was one of many companies making the move to and pursuing significant expansions here in Queensland.
