Sanofi Begins Construction of Flu Vaccine Plant

Sanofi and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), have officially broken ground on a new, state-of-the-art formulation and filling facility at Sanofi's Swiftwater site in Pennsylvania. The new plant will be a two-story building complete with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) formulation, filling, and support areas. The filler will be capable of filling syringe and vials with isolator barrier technology and single use technology for flexibility.

This facility marks one of three significant manufacturing investments made at the site, supported by federal funds, as part of a contract awarded earlier on Dec. 5, 2019 by BARDA to increase domestic production capabilities for recombinant pandemic influenza vaccines.

"This groundbreaking event marks another significant step in our longstanding relationship with BARDA,” says Rakesh Kakkar, US head of vaccine manufacturing and supply, Sanofi. “Past pandemics confirmed that public-private partnerships are key to providing a relevant and quick answer to pandemic situations. … We are committed to maintaining continuous efforts to prepare for the next flu pandemic."