World class infrastructure is needed to meet the specific requirements and high standards for tissue and cell retrieval, processing (including cell culture), storage, and distribution in Australia. Such infrastructure is also needed to enable future work involving translational product development. Ideally, such infrastructure should be housed strategically to maximise synergies with relevant organisations (VIFM / Coroners Court of Victoria, hospitals, universities and other research centres).

A vote of confidence in DTBV’s capacity to deliver to Victorians (and Australians) was provided through the $13 million funding of a replacement facility to be built as part of the redevelopment of the Coronial Services Centre in Southbank. This successful outcome enables DTBV to remain operational while the replacement facility is being built, securing the uninterrupted and long term supply of currently provided tissue products.

When fully operational, this replacement facility will accommodate future growth in tissue processing and storage, and the development of new tissue products. As stem cell and tissue based technologies are discovered at research level, there will be the need for an organization with the ability to translate the research into large scale production of tissue, manufactured within a quality controlled environment, for clinical trials and then for patient use. DTBV is in a unique position to fulfill this role and to eventually become an active partner in licensing, manufacturing and distributing the finalised products.

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