Seqirus to Invest $584 Million in Australian Biotech Manufacturing Facility

Seqirus, a CSL company and an influenza vaccine provider based in the United States, announced on Nov. 16, 2020 that it will invest more than AUD $800 million (US$584 million) into building a new biotech manufacturing facility in Australia to supply influenza vaccines to Australia and globally.

The new facility, which is expected to be operational by mid-2026, will utilize cell-based technology to produce influenza vaccines for use in influenza pandemics and seasonal vaccination programs, a company press release said. Additionally, the facility will manufacture Seqirus’ proprietary adjuvant MF59, a substance added to vaccines to improve immune response and reduce the amount of antigen needed for each vaccine.

“Providing safe and effective influenza vaccines is essential in securing our defenses against serious public health threats,” said Paul Perreault, CSL’s CEO and managing director, in the press release. “The facility will be an important addition to our global influenza manufacturing supply chain, incorporating the technology platform used in our Holly Springs, North Carolina facility. Cell-based influenza vaccine technology offers many advantages over the existing process including being more scalable and offering faster production—particularly important in the case of influenza pandemics.”