Exciting new institute adds to Melbourne’s world-class biomedical credentials

July 23, 2023

Melbourne’s credentials as the ultimate Asia Pacific destination for medical and scientific meetings continues to shine, with the development of an Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID).

The new $650 million Institute is a partnership between University of Melbourne, the Burnet Institute and the Doherty Institute. Construction will start next year and be completed by 2027.  

What makes this institute unique?

The AIID will be housed in Melbourne’s biomedical precinct - Australia’s most important life science cluster and one of only five of its calibre in the world. The biomedical precinct has a global reputation for its intelligent interdisciplinary approach to fighting disease outbreaks and pandemics.

Upon the AIID’s launch, it will be the largest pandemic-fighting institute in the southern hemisphere, housing up to 1,000 scientists, academics, students and public health experts.

International specialists in laboratory design have been engaged to spec the world-leading institute which will feature high-containment facilities, robotics to handle bio-banking, vaccine development, drug screening and imaging technologies currently not available in Australia.

Phil Batterham, Emeritus Professor at the University of Melbourne and Club Melbourne Ambassador, shares how the new institute further adds to Melbourne’s already impressive reputation in the biomedical sector.

“Melbourne is already an extraordinary centre for biomedical research, Phil said.

“So this new institute is just adding a whole new layer that makes this city even more attractive as we bid for major medical conferences from around the world to come here”.

Quick facts on Victoria’s biomedical sector:

• Collectively employs about 23,000 people including 20,000 researchers in 30 technology, engineering and medical facilities
• Generates $12.7 billion in annual revenue
• 40 per cent of Australia’s funding for medical research is based in Melbourne
• Melbourne is home to 53 percent of Australia’s ASX-listed life sciences companies.

How the Melbourne Convention Bureau can help your organisation leverage the new institute

The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) works closely with its Knowledge Partners, including world-class Melbourne universities, academics and research institutes, to secure international medical and healthcare conventions.

It's these relationships MCB has built with Knowledge Partners that enable event owners and planners to tap into some of the world’s greatest minds when planning and delivering their international convention in Melbourne.

Consider Melbourne for your future medical or healthcare convention

Melbourne has a successful track record for securing and hosting international medical conventions, such as the recent International Congress of Genetics that attracted 1,900 delegates from around the world in July.

In fact, as of May 2023, MCB had already secured a massive 48 medical conferences to take place in the next five years, attracting around 38,000 delegates – and that figure only continues to grow.

There are so many reasons why you should consider Melbourne for your next convention. Reach out to MCB to start the conversation.