Seqirus Announces Advancement in Cell-Based Influenza Vaccine Technology

The use of cell-derived CVVs, rather than egg-derived CVVs, has the potential to drive improved process control and increased output in the production of cell-based influenza vaccines. In addition, influenza viruses isolated and grown exclusively in cells can be more similar to influenza viruses in circulation.

Since first beginning production in 2014, the Holly Springs site has used egg-derived CVVs in its cell-based manufacturing process. In 2016, the WHO began to also recommend cell-derived CVVs and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an approval for Seqirus to use them in the production of cell-based influenza vaccines at Holly Springs.

This year, Seqirus was successful in using a cell-derived H3N2 CVV in the production of its cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine, making the end-to-end production of this particular strain exclusively cell-based. The company plans to utilize cell-derived CVV technology for the production of other vaccine strains produced at the Holly Springs site in the future.

"Cell-based influenza vaccines represent one the most significant advancements in the history of influenza vaccine production. Seqirus is proud to continue to innovate this promising technology as part of our leading role in influenza prevention and pandemic preparedness," said Gordon Naylor, President of Seqirus. "The successful application of this new technology reflects the deep expertise that exists within Seqirus, developed over our 100-year heritage in influenza. It will improve our overall production process and enhance our ability to deliver on our commitment to public health."

Influenza is a common, contagious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. To reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, such as hospitalization and death, resulting from influenza, the CDC recommends annual vaccination for all individuals aged six months and older.8 Because transmission to others may occur one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick, the disease can be easily transmitted to others.

Influenza can lead to clinical symptoms varying from mild to moderate respiratory illness to severe complications, hospitalization and in some cases death. The CDC estimates that 310,000 people in the United States were hospitalized due to influenza-related complications during the 2015-2016 influenza season. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated to help protect them before influenza begins spreading in their community, and by the end of October if possible.