The Allan Labor Government is backing Victoria's world-leading Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID), with the appointment of the early and enabling works contractor ensuring work progresses at pace for the new state-of-the-art research facility.
Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll today announced Kane Constructions has been appointed to prepare the facility site for construction, which will be home to a new institute to protect Australians against infectious diseases and future pandemics.
Once complete, the AIID will undertake critical work to protect Australia and the region against infectious diseases and future pandemics - bringing together three of Victoria's leading research organisations to help form the largest centre of infectious disease expertise in the Southern Hemisphere.
The institute will be home to one of the largest high-containment laboratory facilities in the Southern Hemisphere and high-tech facilities, including a human infection unit, robotic biobanking, and a range of shared facilities and platforms to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
It will also become home to the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics; a new centre backed by the Victorian Government to advance Victoria's pandemic preparedness and fast-track the design and development of life-saving treatments.
The institute has been made possible by the Labor Government's $400 million investment and supported by additional investment from three Foundation Partners - the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the Burnet Institute, and the University of Melbourne.
Supporting research into life-saving therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines, the AIID will form part of Melbourne's world-renowned biomedical precinct and will strengthen Victoria's reputation as a global leader in medical research.
The early works are expected to be completed by late 2024, with major construction to follow.
The AIID is just one of the Government's major investments in medical research, alongside the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery and support for Australia's mRNA vaccine manufacturing capability and research ecosystem.
As stated by Minister for Medical Research Ben Carroll
"Today's milestone brings us one step closer to opening this world-class institute which will help protect against future diseases and pandemics."
"As industry, experts and government work together to drive innovation and research, the AIID will cement Victoria's reputation as a medical research leader."
