CSL boss Paul Perreault says the local biotech giant will launch trials of an mRNA flu vaccine in Australia from next year, but the technology will not be used to develop a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine.
The company, which is the only domestic source of a COVID vaccine in Australia, told investors at its annual general meeting on Tuesday that it was committed to finishing its 50 million dose production run of AstraZeneca’s treatment at its Melbourne facilities. Production would wind up at the end of that contract, unless the federal government asks CSL to extend its work.
CEO boss Paul Perreault in Pennsylvania.Credit:Tony Stewart
Mr Perreault told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald that the company was “pretty busy” making its core blood plasma products even before the pandemic struck, and it would not make sense to develop a mRNA coronavirus vaccine of its own at this stage, with billions of Pfizer and Moderna doses already flowing into Australia.
“The need for a COVID vaccine by the time we develop it and get it approved is probably not what the need is today,” he said. However, Mr Perreault added the company was working out how it could protect Australians during future pandemics.
“I think we need to look to the future – is there a platform for mRNA that CSL can develop for other reasons? There will be other pandemics, we just don’t know when.”
The company plans to launch human trials of its self-amplifying influenza vaccine next year – a product Mr Perreault hopes will be more stable and efficient to make than mRNA vaccines currently on the market.
He said Australians would be able to put their hands up to participate in the trials of the flu vaccine, with a small phase 1 trial launching next year and a larger phase 3 study for the Southern Hemisphere planned for the future.
Several CSL investors, including the Australian Shareholders Association, asked the company on Tuesday whether it saw the rise of mRNA technology as an opportunity or a threat to CSL’s thriving vaccine business.
Chairman Brian McNamee assured them the company is fully aware of the rise of tech and its many potential applications.
CSL rules out making homegrown mRNA COVID vaccine
Source: Philippines Alive
