CSL Receives $121.4 Million Contract for Bird Flu Vaccine Supply

(Reuters) – Australia’s CSL (OTC:CSLLY) announced on Wednesday a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worth $121.4 million. This funding is aimed at increasing the U.S. government’s stockpile of bird flu vaccines to 40 million doses.

Under this multi-year contract, CSL will deliver its MF59 adjuvant, an essential component for manufacturing vaccines against the H5 avian influenza virus.

“This decision will further support the U.S. government’s pandemic preparedness efforts,” said CSL.

The funding is part of a collaboration with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). As a division of HHS, BARDA assists companies in developing medical supplies to tackle public health threats.

This marks the fifth award CSL has received from BARDA in response to the bird flu outbreak. Previously, CSL delivered approximately 4.8 million doses of its bird flu vaccine.

The H5 bird flu is prevalent among wild birds globally and has led to outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows. There have been several recent human cases among U.S. dairy and poultry workers.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the 14th human case of H5 reported in the U.S. for 2024, including the first case without known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals.

“While the current public health risk is low, the CDC is monitoring the situation closely and collaborating with states to track individuals with animal exposures,” the agency states on its website.