CSL Seqirus Partners with Saudi Arabia to Establish In-Country Production of Cell-Based Influenza Vaccines

CSL Seqirus, a vaccine unit of Australian biotech CSL, has entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia to provide cell-based influenza shots and establish domestic production. The initiative is part of the kingdom's effort to boost local manufacturing and pandemic preparedness. The agreement comes as CSL Seqirus prepares to spin off amid declining vaccination rates in the US and shifting federal vaccine policy. Under the deal, Seqirus will supply both seasonal and pandemic cell-based influenza vaccines to Saudi Arabia, working with local drugmaker Vaccine Industrial Company to set up production at its plant in Sudair City.

Key Takeaways:

• Seqirus will provide cell-based influenza vaccines to Saudi Arabia for the 2026/27 flu season, with an expected delivery of 1 million doses per year.
• The partnership aims to establish pandemic preparedness in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on high-risk populations and pre-pandemic vaccine stockpiles.
• CSL Seqirus will work with Vaccine Industrial Company to establish in-country production at the Sudair City plant, expected to be operational by next year.
• The collaboration is expected to help establish Saudi Arabia as a regional leader in preventing seasonal influenza.
• Lorna Meldrum, CSL's VP of commercial operations, stated that the partnership will leverage Seqirus' differentiated vaccine portfolio with Vaccine Industrial Company's local manufacturing expertise and networks.
• The agreement comes amid heightened volatility in the US influenza vaccine market, prompting CSL to reconsider the timeline for the spinoff of CSL Seqirus.

Statistics:

• CSL Seqirus expects to deliver 1 million doses of cell-based flu vaccines per year to Saudi Arabia for the 2026/27 flu season.
• The partnership aims to establish pandemic preparedness in Saudi Arabia, focusing on high-risk populations.
• The Sudair City plant, operated by Vaccine Industrial Company and Seqirus, is expected to be operational by next year.
• 75 miles north of Riyadh, the Saudi Arabian capital, is the location of the Sudair City industrial hub.
• CSL Seqirus is planning to spin off amid a sharp decline in vaccination rates in the US and shifting federal vaccine policy.

Sources:

• "CSL Seqirus partners with Saudi Arabia to establish in-country production of cell-based influenza vaccines" (press release, Oct. 30)
• CSL's general meeting (Tuesday's)
• CSL's announcement of plans to CSL Seqirus (earlier this year)
• "CSL Seqirus sees significant impact from seasonal influenza in Saudi Arabia, says company executive" (CSL's press release)
• The cost cuts, CSL said at the time, are designed to save CSL $500 million to $550 million progressively over the next three years.