The opening ceremony for the first large-scale US Flu Cell Culture and adjuvant manufacturing facility, developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be held Tues. Nov. 24 at Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Flu Cell Culture Manufacturing Facility in Holly Springs, NC. The facility is planned to begin commercial production of seasonal flu and pre-pandemic vaccines after licensure in 2011. Honored guests from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CDC, Executive Branch of North Carolina and others, along with high-level Novartis executives including CEO and Chairman of Novartis, Daniel Vasella , CEO of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Andrin Oswald, Global Head of Technical Operations for Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Matthew Stober, and other high-level US and state government officials (TBC) will be in attendance.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), has contracted with Novartis to support the design, construction, validation, and licensing of U.S. cell-based influenza vaccine manufacturing facilities in Holly Springs, North Carolina.

Tues. Nov. 24 will mark the official opening of the Novartis facility, the first U.S. Flu Cell Culture and adjuvant manufacturing facility.

The facility will have the capability to produce seasonal flu cell culture vaccine, pre-pandemic vaccine, and 150 million doses of pandemic vaccine within 6 months of influenza pandemic declaration.

The facility will employ 350 technicians and managers by 2011.

The event will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication by several high-level government officials and the Chairman and CEO of Novartis, Daniel Vasella. Attending media will also be able to participate in a guided site tour of the facility.