Post-COVID Trends and Australia’s Strategic Advantage

The global vaccine industry has evolved rapidly since COVID-19, shifting from traditional development models to a fast-paced, innovation-led sector. This white paper explores how vaccines have become a cornerstone of global health security, driven by new technologies, investment, and collaboration.

The global market now exceeds USD 100 billion and continues to expand, with strong growth in mRNA, self-amplifying RNA, and viral vector platforms. Beyond infectious diseases, vaccine research is advancing into cancer, autoimmune, neurological, and addiction-related conditions.

Key highlights include:

• Major shifts in vaccine development timelines, with faster start-up and adaptive trial designs.
• Growth in next-generation targets such as universal influenza and pan-coronavirus vaccines.
• Expansion of the Asia-Pacific region as a global vaccine research hub.

The report also outlines Australia’s growing role as a leading destination for vaccine clinical trials. Supported by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and its streamlined Clinical Trial Notification (CTN) process, Australia offers rapid approvals, high-quality data accepted worldwide, and one of the most generous R&D tax incentive programs providing up to 43.5% rebates on eligible expenses.

Australia’s opposite-season advantage enables global sponsors to run year-round studies, particularly for influenza and respiratory vaccines, reducing time to market. Combined with a diverse population, experienced investigators, and world-class infrastructure, Australia provides a strategic environment for early and late-phase vaccine research.

The white paper also features a case study of a first-in-human pneumococcal vaccine trial that demonstrated rapid activation, strong safety results, and operational excellence.

Download the full report to explore post-COVID global trends, emerging vaccine opportunities, and Australia’s strategic advantage in driving the next wave of vaccine innovation.