In 2007, Novartis was the first company to have a licensed, commercially produced and marketed cell culture-based vaccine to prevent influenza. We operate a cell culture-based manufacturing plant in Marburg, Germany. And in November 2009, Novartis inaugurated the US's first ever large-scale flu cell culture vaccine and adjuvant manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Novartis utilizes both egg and cell culture technology to manufacture vaccines.

Learn more about the production cycle for annual influenza vaccine

 

 

Cell culture-based

General

Overview of the 5-step production of cell culture flu vaccine.

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Animations of the cell culture-based vaccine manufacturing process.

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Viral Flu (Influenza)

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Ampoules containing the cells for vaccine production are stored at minus 170 degree celsius in a tank containing liquid nitrogen. One ampoule with cells is used for the production of one lot of vaccine.

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Seed cells are taken out of storage for the production of cell culture influenza vaccine

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Close-up of a water tank at a flu cell culture facility (30sec)

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Shots of an employee in protective clothing with cell culture equipment at -180° C (17sec)

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Holly Springs

Artist rendering of the new cull culture-based manufacturing facility that opened in November 2009 in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

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Novartis Holly Springs, North Carolina flu cell culture vaccine manufacturing facility.

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Overview of the Novartis flu cell culture vaccine and adjuvant production facility in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

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Egg-based

Transportation of eggs, used to grow vaccines, at a Novartis Vaccines manufacturing facility.

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B-roll of egg-based vaccine production.

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MF59 Adjuvant

MF59 filling under strict clean room conditions

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Production of the MF59 adjuvant.

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MF59 ready for use in influenza vaccines

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