Novartis is 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 August 2007, Novartis broke ground for a new cell culture-based manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina in the U.S.

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

Learn more about the production cycle for annual influenza vaccine

 

 

Cell-culture based

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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Inspection of a syringe containing H1N1 vaccine during filling process. The white color is due to the addition of the adjuvant MF59.

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The H1N1 monobulk-vaccine is taken out of the ultrafiltration unit.

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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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Artist rendering of the new cull culture-based manufacturing facility that will open in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

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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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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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