CSL opens cell-based influenza vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility in Melbourne
December 6, 2025 | Saturday | News
New facility will replace the existing CSL Seqirus egg-based vaccine manufacturing facility in Parkville
Australia’s onshore vaccine manufacturing capabilities took a leap forward as Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, opened CSL Seqirus’ state-of-the-art cell-based influenza vaccine and antivenom manufacturing facility in Melbourne.
The Australian-owned and operated facility uses innovative technology to manufacture seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines for Australia and the world. It is the only cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere and makes Australia one of only three countries globally with the end-to-end capability to make advanced cell-based influenza vaccines.
It is also the only manufacturing site in the world capable of producing Australia’s eleven antivenoms for venomous creatures and the human Q-Fever vaccine. The new facility will replace the existing CSL Seqirus egg-based vaccine manufacturing facility in Parkville, Melbourne, marking the end of an era spanning 80 years in manufacturing innovation.
The facility has the capacity to manufacture enough cell-based seasonal flu vaccines to supply Australia and meet demand from other regions including Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, supporting a supply chain worth $300 million annually to the Australian economy.
CSL invested over $1billion to build the digitally-enabled and environmentally sustainable facility. The Victorian Government also contributed to the project, securing the facility for Victoria and reinforcing the state’s already globally significant medical research and biotechnology community.
Minister for Health, Disability, and Ageing, Mark Butler said, “Thanks to this world-class facility, the future of flu vaccine and antivenom manufacturing is Australian made. World-leading flu vaccines that are in high-demand will be manufactured on our shores, to protect Australians and the globe. Through our partnerships with companies like CSL, the Albanese Government is ensuring the health of Australian’s is protected – whether that’s seasonal flu, a bite or sting from a venomous creature or pandemic threats like avian influenza.”