CSL Biotherapies Contracts with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to Provide Novel A (H1N1) Influenza Vaccine Antigen
Initial Delivery Anticipated to Begin in September, Pending Regulatory Approval
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CSL Biotherapies, Inc. announced today that it has signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide Novel A (H1N1) influenza vaccine antigen in bulk form to support HHS' pandemic influenza preparedness efforts. The initial order under contract will be for an amount of at least $180 million. CSL Biotherapies anticipates initial delivery of the antigen by September, subject to regulatory approval. The new vaccine antigen will be tested in clinical trials funded by HHS.
CSL Biotherapies has also negotiated an option to supply HHS with Novel A (H1N1) antigen filling and finishing services at the company's manufacturing plants in Kankakee, Illinois and in Marburg, Germany. CSL Biotherapies will continue its ongoing plans to supply seasonal influenza vaccine in time for the upcoming flu season in the U.S.
"We are pleased to be partnering with HHS to provide our full support and global expertise in addressing the serious threat to public health that the Novel A (H1N1) virus represents," said Paul R. Perreault, President of CSL Biotherapies. "This effort is another example of CSL Biotherapies' commitment to helping combat influenza in the United States. In doing so, CSL Biotherapies will be applying more than 40 years of experience in developing and manufacturing vaccines, including seasonal flu vaccine. As always, we are looking forward to making a positive and lasting difference."
CSL Biotherapies' Novel A (H1N1) antigen is made from the recently isolated Novel A (H1N1) influenza strain. CSL Limited, parent company to CSL Biotherapies, is currently in ongoing discussions with Australia and other countries regarding the supplying of its Novel A (H1N1) vaccine antigen.
About CSL Biotherapies
The United States headquarters of CSL Biotherapies are located in King of Prussia, PA. Its parent company, CSL Limited, in Melbourne, Australia, has made a $60 million (U.S.D.) investment in plant and equipment to double the manufacturing capacity of the company's Melbourne facility to 40 million doses per season; it is now one of the world's largest influenza vaccine facilities for global markets. CSL Biotherapies, which shares its United States headquarters with its sister company, CSL Behring, is commercializing influenza vaccine products globally.
The CSL Group, which includes CSL Biotherapies, CSL Research & Development, CSL Bioplasma, and CSL Behring, has more than 10,000 employees and operates in 27 countries worldwide. For more information, visit us at www.cslbiotherapies-us.com, or call 1-888-435-8633.