Labor is backing Victoria to become a global leader in mRNA vaccine manufacturing.

Minister Dimopoulos today visited BioNTech’s Bundoora facility where the installation of BioNTainer units will support up to 1,200 jobs in the wider industry over the next 10 years.

Victoria is home to the two of the world’s leading mRNA vaccine makers, Moderna and BioNTech and is now one of only two places in the world with BioNTainer manufacturing units, based on a prototype in Germany.

The units are modular, portable laboratories that can make new vaccines and treatments.

Researchers and biotech companies will be able to work with BioNTech to develop investigational new medicines – from cancer treatments to vaccines for new diseases.

The BioNTainer units have been named Wirrarap, meaning medicine man, faith and spirit healer, and Boordup, meaning a source or place of comfort, in Woi wurrung language.

The facility is located within La Trobe University’s $5 billion University City precinct at Bundoora and is a cornerstone of BioNTech’s partnership with the Allan Labor Government.