The Victorian Agribiosciences Centre at the La Trobe University R and D Park is a $20 million biotechnology centre which opened in Melbourne, Australia last week. The Victorian Government contributed $7.8 million to the Center, with La Trobe University funding $12 million.

Victoria's Premier, Steve Bracks, said that it as a major indication that Victoria was well on track to be one of the top five biotechnology locations in the world by 2010.

"Research and development undertaken at the VABC will help improve the state's food production and manufacturing capabilities as well as create jobs and export markets in the future.

"The centre is a great example of how Government, university and private sector investment into Agrifood biotechnology and research and development facilities will result in real results for Victoria's food industries."

Officials are confident that the establishment of the center will assist with state, national and overseas biotech interests. During the opening, new Victorian-based agricultural biotechnology company, Gramina Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Australian and New Zealand companies to develop and commercialise grass technologies developed at the VABC, was also unveiled.

The VABC consortium is comprised of:

• La Trobe University, Bundoora


• Department of Primary Industries Victoria (DPIV)


• RMIT University


• Monash University, and


• Florigene Ltd (a division of Suntory, Molecular Plant Breeding CRC and GE HealthCare Biosciences

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Read more from Invest Australia and from La Trobe University.