Cell Culture Influenza Vaccine ‘Flucell’ Approved in Korea for This Month’s Use

first Cell-Culture Flu Vaccine Set to Launch, Offering Hope for Egg Allergy Sufferers

Seoul, South Korea – september 4, 2025 – CLS Seaquilus Korea is poised to launch Flucell Box Quad, a revolutionary cell culture-based influenza vaccine, this month. This marks a significant advancement in vaccine technology and provides a crucial alternative for populations previously excluded from customary influenza vaccination due to severe egg allergies.

A New Approach to Flu Vaccine Production

The Flucell Box Quad vaccine received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in August of last year. It is indeed formulated to protect against both influenza A and B viruses in individuals six months of age and older. Unlike conventional flu vaccines grown in chicken eggs, Flucell Box Quad utilizes cell culture technology.

This innovative process circumvents the challenges posed by “egg adaptation variation,” a phenomenon where the virus changes during egg-based cultivation, potentially reducing the vaccine’s effectiveness. By starting with the actual influenza virus and growing it in cultured cells, the vaccine maintains a closer match to circulating strains.

Benefits for Those with Egg Allergies

A key advantage of Flucell Box Quad is it’s safety profile for individuals with severe egg allergies. traditional flu vaccines carry a risk of allergic reaction due to residual egg proteins. As this vaccine is egg-free, it offers a safe and effective option for this vulnerable group. Additionally, cell-culture production is less susceptible to disruptions caused by fluctuating egg supplies, ensuring a more stable vaccine supply.

Proven Efficacy and Global Approval

Clinical trials conducted in the United States over three influenza seasons demonstrated the vaccine’s efficacy. Results indicated a reduction in influenza incidence ranging from 10% to 14.8% compared to conventional oil culture vaccines.According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention (CDC), the 2023-2024 influenza season saw an estimated 2.9 to 4.8 million illnesses, underscoring the ongoing need for effective vaccination strategies. CDC FluView

The CEO of CLS Seaquilus Korea emphasized the importance of Flucell Box Quad in expanding access to influenza protection for domestic patients. The vaccine has already gained approval in over 17 countries and has been administered more than 290 million times worldwide since its initial launch in 2016.

Strategic Partnership for Distribution

CLS Seaquilus Korea has established a strategic sales alliance with Striking Constraints in Korea to facilitate the distribution of Flucell Box Quad throughout the country. This collaboration aims to ensure widespread availability of the innovative vaccine.

Feature	Traditional Egg-Based Vaccine	Flucell Box Quad (Cell Culture)
Production Method	Chicken Eggs	Cultured Cells
Egg Allergy Risk	Potential for Allergic Reaction	Egg-Free – Safe for Egg Allergy Sufferers
Supply Stability	Dependent on Egg Availability	Self-reliant of Egg Supply
Virus Mutation Risk	Higher risk of egg adaptation variation	Lower risk of mutation

Disclaimer: This details is for general knowlege purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on influenza vaccination.

Understanding the Importance of Flu vaccination

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe symptoms. Annual vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent influenza infection and its complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and even hospitalization. The composition of the flu vaccine is updated each year to match circulating virus strains, as recommended by public health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Influenza Fact Sheet

Did You Know? Flu viruses are constantly evolving, which is why annual vaccination is crucial, even if you received a flu shot last year!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Flu Vaccine and Egg Allergies

• Q: Is the flucell Box Quad influenza vaccine safe for individuals with severe egg allergies?

  A: Yes, Flucell Box Quad is manufactured using cell culture technology and does not contain egg proteins, making it a safe option for people with severe egg allergies.

• Q: How does Flucell Box Quad differ from traditional flu vaccines?

  A: Traditional flu vaccines are grown in eggs, while Flucell Box Quad is grown in cultured cells, reducing the risk of virus adaptation and improving the vaccine’s match to circulating strains.

• Q: What are the common side effects of the Flucell Box Quad vaccine?

  A: Common side effects are generally mild and include soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, and also low-grade fever and muscle aches.

• Q: Is the flu vaccine effective?

  A: Flu vaccine effectiveness varies each year, but it generally reduces the risk of illness and severe complications.

• Q: Why do I need to get a flu shot every year?

  A: Flu viruses constantly change, so the vaccine is updated annually to protect against the latest strains.

• Q: What is egg adaptation variation?

  A: This refers to changes in the virus that occur when it is grown in eggs,potentially reducing the vaccine’s effectiveness.

• Q: Where can I learn more about influenza and vaccination?

  A: Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/flu/.

What are your thoughts on the availability of this new vaccine option? Share your opinions in the comments below!

What are teh advantages of cell culture-based influenza vaccines like Flucell over conventional egg-based vaccines?

Flucell: Korea Approves Cell Culture Influenza Vaccine for September Use

What is Flucell and Why is This Approval Critically important?

Flucell, a cutting-edge influenza vaccine developed using cell culture technology, has received approval in South Korea for use this month (September 2025). This marks a significant advancement in flu vaccine production and offers potential benefits over traditional egg-based methods. The approval signals a growing global acceptance of cell-based influenza vaccines as a reliable and effective preventative measure against seasonal influenza viruses.

This isn’t just another vaccine approval; it represents a shift towards more modern, scalable, and potentially more effective influenza prevention. Korea’s decision highlights the increasing demand for advanced vaccine technologies.

Understanding Cell Culture vs. Egg-Based Influenza vaccines

For decades, most flu vaccines have been produced using embryonated chicken eggs. While effective, this method has limitations:

Egg Supply Dependence: Reliant on a consistent supply of eggs, which can be vulnerable to disruptions (like avian flu outbreaks).

Egg-Adapted Viruses: Viruses grown in eggs can undergo mutations, potentially reducing the vaccine’s effectiveness against circulating strains. This is known as vaccine-virus mismatch.

Allergen Concerns: Individuals with severe egg allergies may face challenges with egg-based vaccines.

Cell culture technology bypasses these issues. Here’s how it works:

1. Virus Propagation: Influenza viruses are grown in mammalian cells (typically MDCK cells) in a controlled laboratory habitat.
2. Enhanced Antigen Production: Cell culture ofen yields higher viral titers and more consistent antigen production.
3. Reduced Mutation Risk: Less reliance on egg adaptation minimizes the risk of antigenic drift and improves vaccine efficacy.
4. Allergy-Amiable: Cell-based vaccines are generally considered safer for individuals with egg allergies.

Key Benefits of Flucell – A Cell-Based Influenza Vaccine

Flucell offers several advantages, making it a promising addition to the arsenal against seasonal flu:

Improved Vaccine Efficacy: Reduced antigenic drift translates to a potentially better match between the vaccine and circulating strains, leading to higher immunization rates.

Faster Production Times: Cell culture can considerably shorten the vaccine production timeline, allowing for a quicker response to emerging influenza pandemics.

Scalability: Cell culture facilities can be scaled up more readily than egg production facilities, enabling increased vaccine supply during periods of high demand.

Reduced Risk of Contamination: Controlled cell culture environments minimize the risk of contamination compared to egg-based systems.

Suitable for Individuals with Egg Allergies: A crucial benefit for a significant portion of the population.

Flucell’s Approval in Korea: Details and Implications

The Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) granted approval for Flucell based on clinical trial data demonstrating its safety and efficacy. The vaccine is designed to protect against multiple influenza subtypes,including A(H1N1),A(H3N2),and influenza B strains.

Target Population: The approved vaccine is intended for individuals aged six months and older.

Dosage and Administration: Standard intramuscular injection, with dosage varying based on age and prior vaccination history.

Expected Impact: Korea anticipates increased flu vaccination coverage and reduced influenza-related morbidity and mortality with the availability of Flucell.

Manufacturing & Distribution: Details regarding large-scale manufacturing and nationwide distribution are currently being finalized.

The Future of Influenza Vaccination: Cell culture Technology

Korea’s approval of Flucell is a bellwether for the future of influenza vaccine development.Several other pharmaceutical companies are actively pursuing cell culture-based influenza vaccines, and regulatory approvals in other countries are anticipated in the coming years.

Related Search Terms:

High-dose flu vaccine

Quadrivalent flu vaccine

Influenza A and B strains

Seasonal flu prevention

Vaccine adverse events (monitoring is ongoing for all vaccines)

influenza pandemic preparedness

* MDCK cells (used in cell culture