Drug giant Pfizer has agreed to step up collaborations with Victorian medical researchers on developing mRNA technology.
Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccine, among the earliest approved for use against COVID-19, is based on mRNA.
These types of vaccines teach the body's cells to make a protein that will trigger an immune response, preparing the immune system for any exposure to a virus.
A first step in joint efforts between the government's mRNA Victoria and the global biopharmaceutical company is an international symposium presenting Australian mRNA research.
Minister for Innovation Jaala Pulford, who is currently touring Pfizer's facilities in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said increasing collaboration should deliver job opportunities.
"This agreement with one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies is a strong endorsement of the strength of Victoria's research and development community and recognises our status as one of the world leaders in this field," she said in a statement.
Clinical trials for a locally developed and manufactured COVID-19 vaccine are already being funded by mRNA Victoria and are expected to be available in the first half of 2022.
In December, another drug company Moderna agreed to base new research and manufacturing facilities in the state.
It comes as the government pushes for people to line up for a third COVID-19 vaccination - so far 63.1 per cent of Victorians aged 18 and over have had three doses.
On Friday, the state registered another 9036 COVID-19 infections and nine deaths.
Of those infected, 199 are in hospital, with 23 in intensive care and five on ventilators.
