The Australian Government has agreed to produce 51 million doses of The University of Queensland’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate if it proves successful. 

In April 2020, we were proud to make a $1 million donation, through Golden Casket unclaimed prize money, to the University of Queensland’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences to help accelerate Australian research into a COVID-19 vaccine. 

The University of Queensland is currently undertaking a Phase 1 clinical study to assess safety and the immune response generated in healthy volunteers. 

If late stage clinical trials are successful, CSL expects the first tranche of doses to be available by mid-2021, with additional doses following in late 2021 and early 2022. 

The total number of vaccines ordered by the Government is based on a two dose per person regime. This is in addition to the 30 million doses of the Oxford University vaccine announced by the Australian Government in late August. 

CSL CEO and Managing Director Paul Perreault said CSL was investing significant resources in the rapid development and large-scale manufacture of the vaccine candidate - UQ-CSL V451. 

“Together with partners, including UQ and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI), our development and manufacturing teams have been working extremely hard to advance this program to ensure the availability of a safe and effective vaccine should clinical studies prove successful,” Mr Perreault said.