CSL Behring's production facilities in Broadmeadows,Victoria. CSL will be key to onshore manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines after a heads of agreement was signed with the Australian government.Credit:Joe Armao
Producing both vaccines is a task CSL chief executive Paul Perreault had previously flagged as a challenge due to their different approaches. The company says it has now worked through the technical challenges.
Senior vice president of research and development at CSL's vaccine business Seqirus,Dr Russell Basser,said it was too early to tell whether CSL would be involved in coronavirus vaccine production in the long term,though it would be making doses for the next couple of years.
CSL's will also work with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and plans to provide stock for neighbouring countries.
"There would be a need for vaccinations in the next couple of years to cover the world,really,"Dr Basser said.
"We see manufacturing into 2022... beyond that,it is very difficult to know."
The company has emphasised there are key unknowns about successful vaccines,including whether ongoing vaccinations will be needed for citizens to stay protected.
CSL shares jumped as much as 2.5 per cent at the open to $286.87 and closed out the session 1.1 per cent stronger at $282.13.