Pharmacy Daily | ‘Topping out’ CSL facility

CSL Seqirus has today 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 use innovative technology to produce seasonal and pandemic cell-based influenza vaccines, CSL Seqirus' vaccine adjuvant technology (MF59), the world's only approved human vaccine for Q fever, and antivenoms for venomous creatures native to Australia.

The site in Tullamarine, Melbourne, will have a gross floor area of 28,400m2 across three key buildings.

It is on schedule to be operational in 2026 and will support Australia's preparedness and responsiveness in a future pandemic crisis.

Jonah Smith, Vice President and Program Lead for the CSL Seqirus Tullamarine Manufacturing Facility says 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 manufacture influenza vaccines for use in Australia and overseas, creating a supply chain worth more than $300 million annually to the Australian economy."

"This is also one of the first local manufacturing facilities to pursue 5-star 'Green Star' and Gold WELL certification."

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

"By making vaccines in cells, we can eliminate the introduction of egg-based mutations that can impact influenza vaccines.

"Over 200 million doses of cell-based influenza vaccines have been distributed worldwide by CSL Seqirus, with demand doubling in the last two years.

"Australia will soon be a major contributor in meeting this demand.

"In the event of an influenza pandemic, this facility would quickly switch to manufacturing strain-matched cell-based pandemic influenza vaccines."

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

Mark Baker, CEO of construction company BESIX Watpac says, celebrating the topping out is a long-held building tradition and an opportunity to acknowledge the team's expertise in delivering complex bioscience and pharmaceutical infrastructure.

"We are thrilled to have reached the topping-out milestone for this nationally significant project."

CSL has invested $800 million plus in its largest capital project in building this facility and is part of the company's $2 billion investment in Australia.