$121.4 Million Award Preps HAPI Vaccines

CSL Seqirus announced today that, through its public-private partnership with the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the company will expand its Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) program for its proprietary MF59® adjuvant.

As of September 25, 2024, this is the fifth award CSL Seqirus has received from BARDA in response to sustained highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) activity. 

MF59® from the VMI program can be used to manufacture vaccines to protect people against the threat of avian (bird flu) and other strains of influenza. When combined with influenza antigens in a vaccine, MF59® adjuvant is designed to enhance and broaden the body's immune response by creating a broad, cross-reactive antibody response.

Under the terms of the $121.4 million multi-year award, CSL Seqirus will deliver MF59® adjuvant to increase the inventory of the VMI program to 40 million equivalent doses.

"Once again, we're honored to partner with BARDA on pandemic preparedness," said Marc Lacey, CSL Seqirus, Global Executive Director for Pandemic, in a press release.

"This expanded program will increase outbreak resilience and help to protect against threats such as avian influenza."

MF59® will be manufactured at CSL Seqirus' Holly Springs, North Carolina facility.

In April 2024, Dr. Peter Marks, with the U.S. FDA, informed the media that the U.S. stockpile of avian flu-specific vaccines would work well if deployed. As of September 2024, FDA-approved avian influenza vaccines are not commercially available. 

Furthermore, the FDA clarified annual flu shots are unlikely to protect people during bird flu pandemics.