Anti-infective drug development company Biota Holdings has announced it will expand its headquarters in Victoria. The expansion is likely to see a 35 new, highly skilled jobs generated in the state by 2014.

 

The Victorian Government is supporting Biota to expand its Notting Hill facility, following the company being awarded a US$231 million, five-year contract from the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) in March 2011.

 

The expansion will allow the company to advance the development and registration of its second-generation influenza product Laninamivir for the US market.

 

State Minister for Technology Gordon Rich-Phillips said the investment secured Biota's capacity and capability to deliver its commitments under the BARDA contract and expand its activities in the development of anti-infective drugs in Victoria.

 

"The project will see Biota expand and upgrade the existing Notting Hill facility to ensure it has the capacity in terms of lab space, security, supporting infrastructure, and capability to service the BARDA contract," Mr Rich-Phillips said.

 

The investment will provide an opportunity to consolidate Biota's Notting Hill facility as the lead site globally for the ongoing development of the company's product pipeline, including anti-bacterial drug discovery activities.