Cicirus 4 Flu Vaccine 'Fluad Quad' Approved in Korea

Sicurus's Immune-Enhancing Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine 'Fluad Quad'

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] CSL Seqirus Korea announced on the 29th that its adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine 'FLUAD QUADRIVALENT' received product approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on the 19th.

Fluad Quad is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) containing Seqirus's proprietary adjuvant 'MF59'. It is used to prevent influenza in the elderly aged 65 and over. Since the immune response to vaccines may be reduced in the elderly due to immune system aging, it is expected that the inclusion of an adjuvant in the influenza vaccine can improve the magnitude and breadth of the immune response. Based on this product approval, CSL Seqirus Korea aims to launch it domestically in the second half of next year.

Fluad Quad is a quadrivalent influenza vaccine that adds one type of influenza B virus to the existing adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine 'Fluad'. Through immune-bridge studies with Fluad, Fluad Quad demonstrated similar data regarding the magnitude, breadth, and duration of the immune response. Fluad Quad was first approved in Australia in 2019, followed by approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) the following year.

Yoo Ki-seung, CEO of CSL Seqirus Korea, said, “Since the elderly aged 65 and over are more exposed to the risk of influenza than younger adults, vaccines that can enhance the immune response may be more effective,” and added, “We are pleased to introduce a portfolio for effective influenza vaccination for vulnerable groups in Korea through this Fluad Quad product approval.”