Advanced vaccine manufacturing in Australia is set to support Canada’s pandemic preparedness plans after Australian manufacturer CSL Seqirus secured a contract to supply influenza vaccines in the event of a future global outbreak.
According to CSL Seqirus, the agreement with the Canadian government’s Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will see the company manufacture and deliver 15 million doses of a cell-based adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine from its vaccine manufacturing facility in Tullamarine, Melbourne if a pandemic is declared by the World Health Organization.
Under the contract, vaccines would be produced at the company’s digitally enabled facility, which CSL Seqirus said is designed to rapidly scale production during a health emergency.
In a news release, CSL Seqirus said the site and its associated manufacturing network have the capacity to produce more than 150 million vaccine doses during the first wave of manufacturing to help protect Australia and other countries during a pandemic.
Jonah Smith, vice president of manufacturing and site head at CSL Seqirus’ Tullamarine manufacturing facility, said the agreement reflects long-standing cooperation between the two Commonwealth nations.
“As Commonwealth nations, we have a long-standing friendship, so we’re thrilled that vaccines manufactured in Australia will help protect Canadians in the event of an influenza pandemic,” Smith said.
“Our year-round seasonal vaccine production is a critical part of the strong foundation needed to ensure we can rapidly provide pandemic vaccines.”
The contract marks the first international agreement secured by the new Tullamarine facility for pandemic vaccine manufacturing. CSL Seqirus said the site forms part of its global pandemic response network and expands the company’s capacity to meet demand from government partners.
The Tullamarine facility supports an estimated $300 million annual supply chain to the Australian economy and employs hundreds of specialised workers who manufacture seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and antivenoms for venomous animals native to Australia.
Canada’s Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, said the agreement strengthens the country’s ability to respond to future public health threats.
“This renewed contract with CSL Seqirus strengthens Canada’s ability to respond quickly to a potential future flu pandemic,” Michel said.
“By securing access to 15 million doses of flu vaccine if a pandemic is declared by the WHO, we are reinforcing our commitment to protecting health and being prepared and ready to act in the face of emerging public health threats.”
CSL Seqirus previously held a contract with Canada to provide an egg-based influenza vaccine in the event of a pandemic. The new agreement will rely on cell-based manufacturing technology, which the company said allows for scalable production, reduced reliance on certain critical materials, and faster vaccine development using modern production platforms.
The introduction of cell-based manufacturing into Canada’s pandemic preparedness planning is expected to strengthen its existing strategy aimed at ensuring sufficient vaccine coverage across the population if required.
Gillian Stafford, CSL Seqirus head of commercial operations in Canada, said the partnership reflects ongoing collaboration between the company and Canadian health authorities.
“A flu pandemic is an ever-present threat. If one strikes, our robust, rapid response capabilities will ensure Canada has access to vaccines to help protect their population,” Stafford said.
“We’re honoured to continue working with Canada, a leading country in pandemic preparedness, toward our shared goal of protecting public health.”
Dr Gregg Sylvester, chief health officer at CSL Seqirus, said recent outbreaks of avian influenza in animals highlight the continuing need for pandemic readiness.
“In recent years, outbreaks of avian influenza in animals have highlighted the ongoing importance of pandemic preparedness,” Sylvester said.
“With this contract, we will continue playing a leading role in pandemic preparedness and deliver innovative pandemic solutions to governments around the world.”
