Seqirus Begins Shipping 2018-2019 Influenza Vaccines to the U.S. Market

SUMMIT, N.J., Aug. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

    --  Seqirus has started to ship its portfolio of more than 50 million doses
        of influenza vaccines to the U.S. market in preparation for the upcoming
        2018-2019 influenza season
    --  Seqirus utilizes egg and cell-based manufacturing and adjuvant
        technologies to offer the broadest portfolio of influenza vaccines in
        the U.S.(1)
    --  The Seqirus portfolio includes FLUAD(®), the only adjuvanted seasonal
        influenza vaccine specifically developed for people 65 years and older,
        and FLUCELVAX(®) QUADRIVALENT, the most widely available cell-based
        influenza vaccine in the U.S.
    --  According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
        the best way to help prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated each
        year(2)

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Seqirus announced today it has begun shipping its portfolio of seasonal influenza vaccines to customers in the United States for the 2018-2019 influenza season. Seqirus, one of the largest influenza vaccine companies in the world, and a leading innovator of new technologies, expects to distribute over 50 million doses to the U.S. market this year.

The company will provide FLUAD(®) (Influenza Vaccine, Adjuvanted), the only adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccine specifically developed for people aged 65 and older(1); and FLUCELVAX(®) QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine), the most widely available cell-based influenza vaccine in the country, available for those aged four and older. Ongoing manufacturing innovations have enabled Seqirus, the largest producer of cell-based influenza vaccines in the U.S., to continue to boost production of FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT. Almost half of the total doses supplied by the company in the U.S. this season will be FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT.

The Seqirus 2018-2019 influenza vaccine portfolio also includes AFLURIA(®) QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine), an egg-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine. Seqirus also distributes Rapivab(®) (peramivir injection), the first-and-only one-dose intravenous antiviral treatment for acute uncomplicated influenza.(3-5)

The complete portfolio of influenza vaccines provides a range of options for children aged 4 years to people aged 65 years and older, presented in pre-filled syringes as well as multi-dose vials.(6-8)

Seqirus produces influenza vaccines across its global manufacturing network, which includes a state-of-the-art plant in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This facility utilizes the latest cell-culture technology and was built in partnership with the U.S. government to support pandemic preparedness and emergency response.(9)

"As the only global vaccine company solely dedicated to the prevention of influenza, Seqirus is committed to partnering with healthcare professionals on the front line of influenza prevention to provide the broadest range of vaccine options as early as possible. We are pleased to build on our track record of early and reliable supply by being one of the first influenza vaccine manufacturers to ship product to the U.S. market during this influenza season," said Brent MacGregor, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations at Seqirus.

"Millions of people - particularly those 65 and older, children, and anyone with an underlying medical condition, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, are at increased risk from influenza and its associated complications. According to the CDC, the best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year," said Gregg Sylvester MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Seqirus.(2,10,11)

About the Seqirus Influenza Product Portfolio

FLUAD(®) (Influenza Vaccine, Adjuvanted)

    --  FLUAD received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
        on November 2015 and is the first and only adjuvanted seasonal influenza
        vaccine in the U.S. for adults aged 65 and older.(12)
    --  Age-related decreases in immune function may cause traditional flu
        vaccines to be less effective in adults 65+. Adults 65 years and older
        may be less able to fight infection, develop sufficient protective
        immune responses or generate immunological memory for future
        protection.(12)
    --  FLUAD contains an immune-enhancing adjuvant MF59(®) thought to boost
        the immune response.(6,12)
    --  In a large pivotal trial, FLUAD elicited strong immune response in
        adults aged 65+ and has a demonstrated safety profile.(6)
    --  The vaccine has an extensive clinical heritage, with more than 102
        million doses distributed worldwide since 1997 and licensure in 29
        countries.(13)

Please see the accompanying Important Safety Information and the US full Prescribing Information for FLUAD.

FLUCELVAX(®) QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine)

    --  FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT received approval from the FDA on May 23, 2016,
        making it the first U.S.-licensed cell-based quadrivalent influenza
        vaccine indicated for people aged 4 years and older.(7,14)
    --  The H3N2 and two B components of the 2018-2019 formulation of FLUCELVAX
        QUADRIVALENT has been produced using a candidate virus that has been
        isolated in cells, which means these strains are not subjected to
        egg-mutations.(14,15)
    --  FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is available in multi-dose vials and prefilled
        syringes, offering healthcare providers greater flexibility to determine
        which vaccine presentation will best meet the needs of their
        immunization clinics.(7)
    --  FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is manufactured at the state-of-the-art facility
        in Holly Springs, North Carolina, with cell- culture technology, which
        allows for the potential to rapidly increase production of influenza
        vaccine in response to outbreaks or pandemic.
    --  Development of the technology and manufacturing facility that produces
        FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT was supported by strong public-private
        partnerships with the U.S. government.(16)

Please see the accompanying Important Safety Information and the US full Prescribing Information for FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT.

AFLURIA(®) QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine)

    --  AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT received approval from the FDA for use in persons 5
        years of age or older on August 31, 2017.(8,17)
    --  The vaccine is available in single-dose, preservative-free pre-filled
        syringes and multi-dose vials to provide choice and convenience to
        patients and caregivers who administer it.(8)
    --  It is the only quadrivalent flu vaccine with a needle-free injection
        delivery option (PharmaJet(®) Stratis(®) 0.5mL Needle-Free Jet
        Injector) for persons 18 through 64 years of age.(8)

Please see the accompanying Important Safety Information and the US full Prescribing Information for AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT.

Rapivab(®) (peramivir injection)

    --  Rapivab(®) is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated
        influenza in patients 2 years and older who have been symptomatic for no
        more than 2 days.(3)

Please see the accompanying Important Safety Information and the US full Prescribing Information for RAPIVAB.

About Seasonal Influenza

Influenza is a common, highly contagious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people. To reduce the risk of more serious outcomes, such as hospitalization and death, resulting from influenza, the CDC encourages annual vaccination for all individuals aged 6 months and older.(2 )Because transmission to others may occur one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick, the disease can be easily transmitted to others.(18)

Influenza can lead to clinical symptoms varying from mild to moderate respiratory illness to severe complications, hospitalization and in some cases death.(2) The CDC estimates that 310,000 people in the United States were hospitalized due to influenza-related complications during the 2015-2016 influenza season.(11) Since it takes about 2 weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated to help protect them before influenza begins spreading in their community.(2)

About Seqirus

Seqirus is part of CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The CSL Group of companies employs more than 20,000 people with operations in more than 60 countries.

Seqirus was established on 31 July 2015 following CSL's acquisition of the Novartis influenza vaccines business and its subsequent integration with bioCSL. As one of the largest influenza vaccine providers in the world, Seqirus is a major contributor to the prevention of influenza globally and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness.

Seqirus operates state-of-the-art production facilities in the U.S., the UK, and Australia, and manufactures influenza vaccines using both egg-based and cell-based technologies. It has leading R&D capabilities, a broad portfolio of differentiated products and a commercial presence in more than 20 countries.

For more information visit www.seqirus.com and www.csl.com.

Seqirus, FLUAD, FLUCELVAX, Afluria, and Rapivab are trademarks of Seqirus UK Limited or its affiliates.

All other trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Media Contact

Polina Miklush
+1 (908) 608-7170
Polina.Miklush@Seqirus.com

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza vaccines --
       United States, 2017-18 influenza season. CDC website.
       https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccines.htm. Accessed July 2018.
    2. CDC. Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. CDC website.
       http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed April 2017.
    3. Rapivab [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Seqirus USA Inc; 2018.
    4. Kohno S, Kida H, Mizuguchi M, Shimada J; S-021812 Clinical Study Group.
       Efficacy and safety of intravenous peramivir for treatment of seasonal
       influenza virus infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother.
       2010;54(11):4568-4574.
    5. CDC. What you should know about flu antiviral drugs. CDC website.
       https://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm. Accessed July 2018.
    6. FLUAD [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Seqirus USA Inc; 2018.
    7. FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Seqirus USA Inc;
       2018.
    8. AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Seqirus USA Inc; 2018.
    9. This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from
       the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response,
       Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, under Contract
       No. HHSO100200900101C.
    10. CDC. People at high risk of developing flu-related complications. CDC
        website. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/high_risk.htm. Accessed on
        April 2017.
    11. CDC. Seasonal influenza-associated hospitalizations in the United
        States. CDC website. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/hospital.htm.
        Accessed April 2017
    12. CDC. FLUAD(TM) flu vaccine with adjuvant. CDC website.
        https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/adjuvant.htm. Accessed July
        2018.
    13. Seqirus USA Inc. Data on file.
    14. CDC. Cell-based flu vaccines. CDC website.
        https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/cell-based.htm. Accessed July
        2018.
    15. World Health Organization. Candidate vaccine viruses and potency testing
        reagents for development and production of vaccines for use in the
        southern hemisphere 2018 influenza season. World Health Organization
        website.
        http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/candidates_reagents/2018_sou
        th/en/. Published 2018.
    16. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. A milestone in protection
        from influenza. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.
        https://wayback.archive-it.org/3926/20150618190057/http://www.hhs.gov/ne
        ws/press/2014pres/06/20140617a.html. Accessed April 2017.
    17. FDA. Vaccines, blood & biologics: AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT. FDA website.
        https://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm
        518291.htm. Accessed July 2018.
    18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How flu spreads. Centers for
        Disease Control and Prevention website.
        https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/spread.htm. Updated October 5,
        2017. Accessed May 2018.

FLUAD(®) (Influenza Vaccines, Adjuvanted) Important Safety Information

Indication

FLUAD is an inactivated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine. FLUAD is approved for use in persons 65 years of age and older.

Contraindications

Severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, including egg protein, or after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine.

Warnings and precautions

    --  If Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has occurred within six weeks of
        previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give FLUAD should be
        based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks.
    --  The tip caps of the prefilled syringes contain natural rubber latex,
        which may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.

Adverse reactions

    --  The most common (>=10%) local (injection site) adverse reactions
        observed in clinical studies were injection site pain (25%) and
        tenderness (21%).
    --  The most common (>=10%) systemic adverse reactions observed in clinical
        studies were myalgia (15%), headache (13%), and fatigue (13%).

For more information, please see accompanying US full Prescribing Information for FLUAD.

FLUCELVAX(®) QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine) Important Safety Information

Indication

FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in persons 4 years of age and older.

Contraindications

    --  Do not administer FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT to anyone with a history of
        severe allergic reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to any component of the
        vaccine.

Warnings & Precautions

    --  Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): If GBS has occurred within 6 weeks of
        receipt of a prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give FLUCELVAX
        QUADRIVALENT should be based on careful consideration of the potential
        benefits and risks.
    --  Preventing and Managing Allergic Reactions: Appropriate medical
        treatment and supervision must be available to manage possible
        anaphylactic reactions following administration of the vaccine.
    --  Syncope: Syncope (fainting) can occur in association with administration
        of injectable vaccines, including FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT. Syncope can be
        accompanied by transient neurological signs such as visual disturbance,
        paresthesia, and tonic-clonic limb movements. Procedures should be in
        place to avoid falling injury and to restore cerebral perfusion
        following syncope by maintaining a supine or Trendelenburg position.
    --  Altered Immunocompetence: After vaccination with FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT,
        immunocompromised individuals, including those receiving
        immunosuppressive therapy, may have a reduced immune response.
    --  Limitations of Vaccine Effectiveness: Vaccination with FLUCELVAX
        QUADRIVALENT may not protect all vaccine recipients against influenza
        disease.

Most Common Adverse Reactions

    --  The most common (>=10%) local and systemic reactions in adults 18-64
        years of age were injection site pain (45.4%), headache (18.7%), fatigue
        (17.8%), myalgia (15.4%), injection site erythema (13.4%), and
        induration (11.6%).
    --  The most common (>=10%) local and systemic reactions in adults >=65
        years of age were injection site pain (21.6%) and injection site
        erythema (11.9%).
    --  The most common (>=10%) local and systemic reactions in children 4 to <6
        years of age were tenderness at the injection site (46%), injection site
        erythema (18%), sleepiness (19%), irritability (16%), injection site
        induration (13%), and change in eating habits (10%).
    --  The most common (>=10%) local and systemic reactions in children 6
        through 8 years of age were pain at the injection site (54%), injection
        site erythema (22%), injection site induration (16%), headache (14%),
        fatigue (13%), and myalgia (12%).
    --  The most common (>=10%) local and systemic reactions in children and
        adolescents 9 through 17 years of age were pain at the injection site
        (58%), headache (22%), injection site erythema (19%), fatigue (18%),
        myalgia (16%), and injection site induration (15%).

Please see accompanying US full Prescribing Information for FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT.

AFLURIA® QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine) Important Safety Information

Indication

AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT is an inactivated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization against influenza disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in individuals 5 years of age and older.

Contraindications

    --  Severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the
        vaccine including egg protein, or to a previous dose of any influenza
        vaccine.

Warnings and Precautions

    --  If Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) has occurred within 6 weeks of
        previous influenza vaccination, the decision to give AFLURIA
        QUADRIVALENT should be based on careful consideration of the potential
        benefits and risks.
    --  Appropriate medical treatment and supervision must be available to
        manage possible anaphylactic reactions following administration of the
        vaccine.
    --  Immunocompromised persons may have a diminished immune response to
        AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT.

Adverse Reactions

    --  In adults 18 through 64 years, the most commonly reported injection-site
        adverse reaction when administered by needle and syringe was pain
        (>=40%). The most common systemic adverse events were myalgia and
        headache (>=20%).
    --  In adults 65 years of age and older, the most commonly reported
        injection-site adverse reaction when administered by needle and syringe
        was pain (>=20%). The most common systemic adverse event was myalgia
        (>=10%).
    --  In children 5 through 8 years, the most commonly reported injection-site
        adverse reactions when administered by needle and syringe were pain
        (>=50%), redness and swelling (>=10%). The most common systemic adverse
        event was headache (>=10%).
    --  In children 9 through 17 years, the most commonly reported
        injection-site adverse reactions when administered by needle and syringe
        were pain (>=50%), redness and swelling (>=10%). The most common
        systemic adverse events were headache, myalgia, and malaise and fatigue
        (>=10%).

The safety experience with AFLURIA (trivalent formulation) is relevant to AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT because both vaccines are manufactured using the same process and have overlapping compositions:

    --  In adults 18 through 64 years of age, the most commonly reported
        injection-site adverse reactions with AFLURIA (trivalent formulation)
        when administered by the PharmaJet Stratis Needle-Free Injection System
        were tenderness (>=80%), swelling, pain, redness (>=60%), itching
        (>=20%) and bruising (>=10%). The most common systemic adverse events
        were myalgia, malaise (>=30%), and headache (>=20%).

Please see accompanying US full Prescribing Information for AFLURIA QUADRIVALENT.

RAPIVAB® (peramivir injection) Important Safety Information

Indication

RAPIVAB is indicated for the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in patients 2 years and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days.

Limitations of Use

    --  Efficacy of RAPIVAB is based on clinical trials of naturally occurring
        influenza in which the predominant influenza infections were influenza A
        virus; a limited number of subjects infected with influenza B virus were
        enrolled.
    --  Influenza viruses change over time. Emergence of resistance
        substitutions could decrease drug effectiveness. Other factors (for
        example, changes in viral virulence) might also diminish clinical
        benefit of antiviral drugs. Prescribers should consider available
        information on influenza drug susceptibility patterns and treatment
        effects when deciding whether to use RAPIVAB.
    --  The efficacy of RAPIVAB could not be established in patients with
        serious influenza requiring hospitalization.

Contraindications

RAPIVAB is contraindicated in patients with known serious hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to peramivir or any component of the product. Severe allergic reactions have included anaphylaxis, erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Warnings and Precautions

    --  Rare cases of serious skin reactions, including erythema multiforme,
        have been reported with RAPIVAB in clinical studies and in postmarketing
        experience. Cases of anaphylaxis and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome have been
        reported in postmarketing experience with RAPIVAB. Discontinue RAPIVAB
        and institute appropriate treatment if anaphylaxis or a serious skin
        reaction occurs or is suspected. The use of RAPIVAB is contraindicated
        in patients with known serious hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to
        RAPIVAB.
    --  Influenza can be associated with a variety of neurologic and behavioral
        symptoms that can include events such as hallucinations, delirium, and
        abnormal behavior, in some cases resulting in fatal outcomes. There have
        been postmarketing reports (from Japan) of delirium and abnormal
        behavior leading to injury in patients with influenza who were receiving
        neuraminidase inhibitors, including RAPIVAB. Because these events were
        reported voluntarily during clinical practice, estimates of frequency
        cannot be made, but they appear to be uncommon. These events were
        reported primarily among pediatric patients. The contribution of RAPIVAB
        to these events has not been established. Patients with influenza should
        be closely monitored for signs of abnormal behavior.
    --  Serious bacterial infections may begin with influenza-like symptoms or
        may coexist with or occur as complications during the course of
        influenza. RAPIVAB has not been shown to prevent such complications.

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reaction in adults (18 years of age and older) was diarrhea (8% RAPIVAB vs 7% placebo). Lab abnormalities (incidence >=2%) occurring more commonly with RAPIVAB than placebo were elevated ALT 2.5 times the upper limit of normal (3% vs 2%), elevated serum glucose >160 mg/dL (5% vs 3%), elevated CPK at least 6 times the upper limit of normal (4% vs 2%), and neutrophils <1.0 10(9)/L (8% vs 6%). In a subset of subjects with serious influenza requiring hospitalization treated with RAPIVAB 600 mg as monotherapy (N=101), the following adverse reactions were also reported more frequently with RAPIVAB as compared to placebo: constipation (4% versus 2%), insomnia (3% versus 0%), AST increased (3% versus 2%), and hypertension (2% versus 0%).

The safety profile of RAPIVAB in subjects 2 to 17 years of age was generally similar to that observed in adults. Specific adverse reactions reported in pediatric subjects treated with RAPIVAB (occurring in >=2% of subjects) and not reported in adults included vomiting (3% versus 9% for oseltamivir), fever and tympanic membrane erythema (2% versus 0%, respectively, for each of these events). The only clinically significant laboratory abnormality (DAIDS Grade 2) occurring in >=2% of pediatric subjects treated with RAPIVAB was proteinuria by dipstick analysis (3% versus 0% for oseltamivir).

Concurrent Use with Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine

Antiviral drugs may inhibit viral replication of a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and thus may reduce vaccine efficacy). The concurrent use of RAPIVAB with LAIV intranasal has not been evaluated. Because of the potential for interference between these two products, avoid use of RAPIVAB within 2 weeks after or 48 hours before administration of LAIV unless medically indicated.

Please see accompanying US full Prescribing Information for Rapivab.

Seqirus USA Inc.
Summit, New Jersey 07901 © 2018 Seqirus USA Inc. July 2018 US/CORP/0718/0085

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