cell-based trivalent influenza virus vaccine

The cell-based trivalent influenza virus vaccine, most notably marketed under the brand name Optaflu, is an inactivated, surface antigen subunit vaccine developed by Novartis (now Seqirus) for the prevention of seasonal influenza. Unlike traditional influenza vaccines produced in embryonated chicken eggs, this vaccine is manufactured using Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) mammalian cell culture technology. This production method avoids egg-adaptation mutations that can reduce vaccine effectiveness and provides a critical alternative for individuals with egg allergies. The vaccine contains hemagglutinin (HA) surface antigens from three seasonal influenza strains: two influenza A subtypes (typically H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B lineage. It was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2007 for use in adults. While it demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in pediatric populations in Phase III trials (such as NCT01992107), the trivalent formulation was largely superseded by quadrivalent versions (QIVc) and was eventually withdrawn from the market for commercial reasons.

Brand names

Optaflu

Other names

cell-based trivalent influenza vaccineMDCK-derived trivalent influenza vaccinetrivalent influenza vaccine (surface antigen, inactivated, prepared in cell cultures)