Seqirus, a global leader in influenza prevention and a business of CSL Limited announced plans to accelerate the development of its next generation of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine technology, self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA), with the creation of a dedicated sa-mRNA program and senior leadership appointment. Seqirus is currently developing a number of sa-mRNA-based influenza vaccine candidates, with pre-clinical results demonstrating promise as compared to more traditional influenza vaccine technologies. The company is targeting the commencement of clinical trials for both seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine candidates in the second half of 2022. mRNA vaccines help protect against infectious diseases by giving instructions to cells in the body to make a protein, stimulating the immune response and leaving a blueprint to recognize and fight future infection. Self-amplifying mRNA, the next generation version of today's mRNA technology, also instructs the body to replicate mRNA, amplifying the amount of protein made. This could enable vaccine manufacturers to potentially develop more effective vaccines with a smaller dosage and with lower rates of reactogenicity, underscoring the application in both pandemic and seasonal settings. In preclinical research, sa-mRNA technology demonstrated the potential to raise stronger cellular responses and generate significantly higher antibody titers at the same dose level as mRNA. Based on its longstanding heritage in influenza, Seqirus is well positioned to make strategic investments in both the development of its existing platforms and in longer-term, high opportunity development activities. While its current focus remains on influenza, Seqirus is also exploring the potential for sa-mRNA vaccines in other disease areas. Seqirus sees this technology as an important element in its R&D pipeline, in addition to its adjuvanted, cell-based influenza vaccine (aQIVc) candidate, a highly flexible platform for rapid pandemic response, regardless of influenza virus strain, which is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials. Seqirus produces influenza vaccines across its global manufacturing network, which includes facilities in the U.S., U.K. and Australia. Seqirus is currently considering a number of global locations to establish scaled manufacturing capabilities for its sa-mRNA platform technology. Seqirus continually works on improving the effectiveness of its seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines through investment in optimization of current technologies and developing new, transformative approaches to future vaccine development. Seqirus remains committed to collaborating with other partners to advance its understanding of how the human immune system responds to influenza, and the implications for development of next generation vaccines that better protect against influenza.
CSL Limited is an Australia-based biotechnology company. The Companyâs areas of focus include rare and serious diseases, influenza vaccines and iron deficiency and nephrology. The Companyâs segments include CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus and CSL Vifor. The CSL Behring segment manufactures, markets and distributes plasma products, gene therapies and recombinants. The CSL Seqirus segment manufactures, markets and distributes predominantly influenza related products and provides pandemic services to governments. The CSL Vifor segment manufactures, markets and distributes products in the therapeutic areas of iron deficiency and nephrology. Its CSL Plasma operates plasma collection networks, with more than 325 plasma collection centers in the United States, Europe and China. The Company operates in Australia, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and China. Its products include Respreeza, Zemaira, HAEGARDA, KCENTRA, Hepatitis B, Evogam and others.
CSL LIMITED 
