FDA Licenses CSL’s New Influenza Vaccine Filling, Packaging Facility In Illinois

FDA has licensed the CSL Biotherapies’ (CSL) newest vaccine filling and packaging facility, located in Kankakee, Illinois. The facility, part of an investment to expand CSL’s US influenza vaccine production capabilities, includes a high-speed, single-dose vaccine syringe filling line. The Kankakee facility provides filling and packaging services for CSL Biotherapies’ influenza vaccine supply to the US market.

The company said that it has completed production of its seasonal influenza vaccine, Afluria, in early July and will deliver more than 8 million doses of Afluria for the upcoming influenza season. The majority of that delivery will be in thimerosal-free, prefilled syringes.

CSL has recently signed an initial contract for at least $180m to supply the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), with new influenza A (H1N1) antigen. Licensure of the new facility in Kankakee provides CSL with the ability to fill and package that antigen, if requested to do so by HHS.

Reportedly, upon opening, the Kankakee site will have the capacity to fill and package 10 million doses of Afluria (influenza virus vaccine). At full capacity, 20 million doses in thimerosal-free prefilled syringes will be filled and packaged at the Illinois-based site.

Wally Casey, senior vice president and general manager of Kankakee Operations at CSL, said: The licensure of this facility enables CSL Biotherapies to rapidly deliver quality, ready-to-administer, flu vaccines to US healthcare providers. This milestone demonstrates once more CSL’s expertise and commitment to addressing pressing US public health needs. It also underscores our support to enhance vaccine administration safety through the use of ready-to-use prefilled syringes.