The firm also recently welcomed a KPMG senior lawyer to a key Consulting role
MinterEllison has advised Moderna in relation to its new mRNA manufacturing facility – a facility described by the firm as the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The facility will be located at the Clayton campus of Monash University in Victoria. Once it opens for operation next year, the facility is expected to pump out up to 100 million doses of vaccines for respiratory diseases like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 each year.
The facility is anticipated to create numerous employment opportunities in the advanced medical manufacturing sector once it obtains regulatory approval.
“This facility will not only enhance Australia’s sovereign capability in mRNA manufacturing but also deliver substantial economic and healthcare benefits for the nation”, MinterEllison co-lead partner Owen Cooper said.
Cooper and his team tackled the construction aspects of the facility. Cooper took point alongside fellow partner Sian Keast; they worked together with special counsel Tim Mitchell as well as a number of senior associates, associates and specialists across different practice areas.
KPMG’s former head of legal operations transformation services for APAC, Jason McQuillen, also commenced with MinterEllison on 2 December as head of the Optimise team for the firm’s Consulting offering.
The appointment marks a return to MinterEllison for McQuillen, who kicked of his legal career with the firm. He brings experience gleaned from working across Australia, the UK and South Africa.
“Jason’s return to MinterEllison marks further growth for our consultancy practice. He and his team's technical expertise, and deep industry relationships will help to deliver excellent outcomes for our clients as they look to grow and innovate their businesses”, MinterEllison CEO Virginia Briggs said.
Over a 20-year career, McQuillen has taken on leadership roles at Big Four firms, worked with legal start-ups, and collaborated with in-house legal team at major corporates on digitising and modernising functions.
“MinterEllison’s commitment to innovation, particularly their deep and continuing investment in AI, resonates deeply with my team's approach to legal transformation. I am excited to return and lead the Optimise practice as we help our clients navigate their biggest changes in an evolving regulatory and technological landscape”, McQuillen said.
MinterEllison’s Optimise team works with clients on AI innovations, digital transformation and broader efficiency opportunities.
