Greater Springfield’s BioPark Australia precinct has announced its first new resident, with plasma therapeutics company Aegros planning to establish a $352-million manufacturing facility.
The advanced facility will produce therapeutic blood products derived from plasma, and will help anchor the region’s pivot to attracting biomedical and other science and engineering companies.
“This new facility will be the first project delivered as part of the new BioPark Australia precinct,” Springfield City Group chairman Maha Sinnathamby said.
“Dedicated to attracting industries across commercial, education, health, innovation technology and lifestyle sectors, we envision that other biomedical and innovative companies will soon join Aegros here in Greater Springfield.”
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said the move would “bring more good, highly skilled jobs for Queenslanders,” including during the construction phase.
“Once Aegros has secured all necessary approvals and finance, the two-year construction will support an estimated 230 jobs,” Dick, who is also Trade and investment minister, said.
Currently based in Sydney’s Macquarie Park, Aegros executive chair Professor Hari Nair said the company was wooed to move by support from the state and local governments.
“The support of the Queensland government’s Invested in Queensland program and Springfield City Group has been invaluable to Aegros in moving forward with this project here in Queensland,” he said.
Speaking to The Urban Developer, Prof Nair explained the logic behind the expansion for the 30-year old company.
“The current plan is to have a fully operational facility [in Springfield] by 2025. We are working together at the moment with the Springfield Group. They are our development partner.”
Aegros will maintain its existing manufacturing capacity in Sydney, but could not ignore “the ability to use Queensland infrastructure, so we can gain access to things like their logistics planning”.
Aegros raised $50 million in capital over two rounds in October, in part to expand production at the Macquarie Park facility.
Prof Nair said that Aegros is working to integrate a private investor, as well as planning an ASX listing in the second half of 2023.
The company is open to approaches on other property deals, according to Prof Nair.
“We’re always looking out for synergistic business opportunities, and if you’ve got some interesting ideas, we’re very happy to talk to you.”
Recent years have seen federal and state governments, and superannuation and other institutional funds, targeting life sciences as a key industry as well as a property play.
Greater Springfield planning strategy targets scientists
A 2021 report by consultancy RPS Group estimated that the Greater Springfield area held 4200 engineers, scientists, and ICT professionals.
That number is expected to balloon to more than 5000 by 2026, and over 7000 by 2036.
The city’s planning strategy is targeting companies in research and advanced manufacturing.
Biomanufacturing company Cytiva received $12.5 million in support in the October Federal Budget to expand nearby facilities in the Springfield BioPark.
A $15-billion Knowledge Precinct will cover 120ha, approved for more than 1.2 million square metres of commercial space and more than 5000 apartments.
The area has been identified as a growth corridor, with the state government planning nine new rail stations on a line to Ipswich.
