Vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility reaches construction milestone


Tuesday, 30 May, 2023

Vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility reaches construction milestone

CSL Seqirus has announced that construction of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Australia has reached its highest point, known as ‘topping out’.

The facility will produce seasonal and pandemic cell-based influenza vaccines, CSL Seqirus’s vaccine adjuvant technology (MF59), the Q fever vaccine and antivenoms for venomous creatures native to Australia.

CSL Seqirus is part of CSL Limited and is one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, with production facilities in the US, the UK and Australia. It also produces the world’s only approved human vaccine for Q fever.

The site in Tullamarine, Melbourne, will have a gross floor area of 28,400 m2 across three key buildings. Topping out has been marked by the completion of roof laying on these buildings, which will be used for:

  • seasonal and pandemic cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing
  • antivenom and Q fever vaccine manufacturing
  • administration and laboratories.
     

It is on schedule to be operational in 2026 and will support Australia’s preparedness and responsiveness in a future pandemic crisis. The new facility bolsters CSL Seqirus and Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability and underpins a long-term partnership with the federal government for the supply of seasonal and pandemic influenza pandemic vaccines, antivenoms and Q fever vaccine.

Jonah Smith, Vice President and Program Lead for the CSL Seqirus Tullamarine Manufacturing Facility, said topping out is an important milestone in the journey to completing the world-class facility.

“This will be the only cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere and will provide access to Australian-made innovative vaccines and potentially lifesaving antivenoms,” he said. “This facility will manufacture influenza vaccines for use in Australia and overseas, creating a supply chain worth more than $300 million annually to the Australian economy.

“The site will support the future of public health in Australia and we’ve designed it to support a sustainable future for our community. We’re incorporating onsite renewable energy generation, electrifying the plant to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and conducting heat and water recovery. This is also one of the first local manufacturing facilities to pursue 5 star ‘Green Star’ and Gold WELL certification.

“The new site will also feature a digitally connected manufacturing environment, deploying advanced analytics that will drive innovation and optimise our manufacturing operations. This includes a fully automated and paperless manufacturing execution system that will support our highly skilled workforce to optimise production, improve quality control and reduce downtime.”

Jonathan Anderson, CSL Seqirus Executive Medical Director – International Regions, said the innovative technology at the facility will form a key part of Australia’s preparedness for seasonal and pandemic influenza.

“Cell-based vaccines are a significant innovation in influenza vaccine manufacturing as they address several limitations associated with traditional technologies,” he said. “By making vaccines in cells, we can eliminate the introduction of egg-based mutations that can impact influenza vaccines.

“We’re seeing influenza return to pre-COVID levels and we’ve experienced early flu seasons in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres recently. Reducing the burden of influenza is a key focus for public health strategies and meeting demand for vaccines is an important aspect of those strategies.”

Anderson also said that producing antivenoms will be an important part of how the facility contributes to the health of Australia and its neighbours.

“Australians love the bush and the beach but unfortunately over 3000 Australians are hospitalised annually due to injuries caused by venomous creatures,” he said. “While there are relatively few deaths, it’s important that we’re prepared for venomous bites and stings.

“We have been producing antivenoms since the development of tiger snake antivenom in 1930 and through this facility we will continue to help protect Australians in the event of a venomous bite or sting from snakes, spiders and marine life.”

The facility is CSL’s largest capital project underway and is part of the company’s $2 billion investment in Australia, which includes the new plasma fractionation facility in Broadmeadows and new global headquarters in Melbourne.

Image credit: iStock.com/Bernard Chantal

Related News

Calidus and RocketDNA partner to introduce autonomous drones to mine site

The RocketDNA SurveyBot system will deliver daily surveys, stockpile volume reports and real-time...

CSIRO 3D mapping technology blasts off for ISS

A package of 3D mapping technology designed by CSIRO has reached the International Space Station.

Melbourne sewerage network prepares for growing population

Yarra Valley Water has signed a five-year contract with Waternish Engineering and Service Stream...


  • All content Copyright © 2024 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd