GSK given go ahead for new flu vaccine facility in US
Hannah Blake
pharmaphorum
The US Department of Health and Human Services has approved GSK and The Texas A&,M University System’s plans to establish a new US $91 million influenza-vaccines manufacturing facility in Texas.
The TAMUS influenza vaccines manufacturing center will allow GSK the capability to eventually manufacture influenza vaccines based on a proprietary cell-culture line. Most existing flu vaccines are manufactured using fertilized chicken eggs. The cell-culture process will supplement the vaccine supply from eggs and facilitate a rapid national vaccine response in the event of a pandemic.
Once constructed and operational, the Center’s influenza manufacturing facility will be able to supply 50 million doses of pandemic influenza vaccine within four months of an outbreak.
“Today’s announcement is a huge win for Texas and for the nation. The Texas A&,M Center, anchored by this facility, is expected to bring more than $41 billion in expenditures within the State of Texas over the next 25 years, and will add more than 6,800 direct and related jobs to Texas.”
Governor Rick Perry, who recently spoke at the Texas State Capitol.
In 2012, GSK provided over 20 million flu shots for the US market and it recently became the first US vaccines provider to gain FDA-approval for a broader-protection four-strain (quadrivalent) influenza vaccine shot that will be available in time for the 2013-14 flu season.
“GSK is privileged to deepen our commitment to U.S. public health, as part of this unprecedented public-private collaboration to protect against pandemics and bio-threats. In Texas A&,M we have found a partner with a rich tradition of service, and with pioneering technologies that will benefit the entire pharmaceutical industry in making vaccines available and accessible to all in need.”
Antoon Loomans, Senior Vice President, GSK Vaccines.
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