Griffith University and Thermo Fisher Scientific Sign Strategic MoU to Advance Innovation at the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct
On 21 April, Griffith University and Thermo Fisher Scientific signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership focused on advancing innovation across health, biotechnology and translational research, anchored within the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct (GCHKP).
The partnership brings together Griffith’s strengths in biomanufacturing, glycoproteomics and next-generation therapeutics with Thermo Fisher’s global capability in analytical instruments, diagnostics, laboratory technologies and biotechnology services. Together, the organisations will explore opportunities to accelerate research translation, strengthen commercialisation pathways and build capability across the Precinct’s innovation ecosystem.
The GCHKP will provide a strategic environment for this collaboration, supporting a closer connection between research, industry, infrastructure and clinical capability. Through the MoU, Griffith and Thermo Fisher will explore a shared innovation and co-lab space within the Precinct to support co-location, access to specialist laboratories and equipment, and future Thermo Fisher presence within the ecosystem.
The organisations will also collaborate on research in glycoproteomics, spatial-omics, mass spectrometry, robotic sample processing and other enabling technologies, while pursuing joint grants and exploring the potential for a future Centre of Excellence. The MoU also creates opportunities to support a deep technology incubator, expand workforce capability, and develop student placements, internships and broader training initiatives.
Griffith University Vice President (Industry and External Engagement), Professor Bronwyn Harch, said the partnership reflected strong alignment between the two organisations and a shared ambition to translate research into meaningful outcomes.
“This partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific brings together complementary strengths across research, technology and innovation. Anchored within the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct, it creates a strong platform to accelerate clinical, commercial and industry outcomes in biotechnology and next-generation therapeutics.
It also creates new opportunities for our researchers, students and partners to work at the intersection of discovery, translation and impact.”
Thermo Fisher Scientific Vice President and General Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Jo Broughton, said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to innovation and long-term collaboration within the Gold Coast innovation ecosystem.
Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct Director Craig Rowsell said the collaboration demonstrated the value of the Precinct as a place where leading organisations can come together to drive innovation and growth.
“This partnership highlights the role of the Gold Coast Health & Knowledge Precinct in bringing together world-class research, clinical capability and industry. It is an important example of how the Precinct can help enable collaboration, attract investment and support the growth of high-value innovation.”
The MoU will be supported by a joint steering committee with equal representation from Griffith University and Thermo Fisher Scientific, helping to provide strategic oversight and identify future opportunities for collaboration. Over time, the partnership is expected to support industry-led growth, strengthen workforce capability and create new high-value jobs, while reinforcing the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct as a destination where global organisations can partner, innovate and scale their impact locally and internationally.
