Australian healthcare company CSL Biotherapies has been awarded a contract to supply pre-pandemic and pandemic vaccine antigens to the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The contract has the potential value of more than $1.5 billion if all optional activities are exercised.

Under the contract, the US government may request CSL to manufacture and store antigens in bulk for use against influenza strains with pandemic potential.

CSL may also be asked to develop working virus seeds for other manufacturers to formulate antigens.

The vaccine antigens produced under the contract will be added to the US national stockpile.