Towards Healthcare

Cell-Based Vaccine Manufacturers and Company Profile

Date : 17 October 2025

Top Leaders in the Cell-Based Vaccine Market

Cell Based Vaccine Market Companies

  • Seqirus
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
  • Sanofi
  • Pfizer
  • Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
  • AstraZeneca
  • Bavarian Nordic
  • Biological E. Limited
  • Sinovac Biotech
  • Clover Biopharmaceuticals
  • Vaxcyte
  • Serum Institute of India (SII)
  • China National Biotec Group (CNBG)
  • Valneva
  • Emergent BioSolutions
  • BioNTech
  • Novavax
  • Mode a
  • Dynavax Technologies
  • CanSino Biologics

Company Profile

Company Headquarters Annual Revenue Year
Seqirus (CSL Seqirus) Maidenhead, United Kingdom US$2.13 Billion FY2024
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) London, United Kingdom £31.4 Billion FY2024
Sanofi Paris, France €41.08 Billion FY2024
Pfizer New York, United States US$63.6 Billion FY2024
Takeda Pharmaceutical Tokyo, Japan ¥4,581.6 Billion FY2024
AstraZeneca Cambridge, United Kingdom US$54.07 Billion FY2024
Bavarian Nordic Hellerup, Denmark DKK 5.72 Billion FY2024

Seqirus

Overview

  • Headquarters: Maidenhead, United Kingdom; manufacturing sites in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

  • Established in 2015 after CSL combined bioCSL with Novartis’ influenza vaccine business.

  • Specializes in influenza prevention and pandemic preparedness through advanced vaccine technologies.

Products

  • FLUAD® – Adjuvanted influenza vaccine for older adults.

  • FLUCELVAX® – Cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine.

  • AFLURIA® / AFLURIA® Quad – Egg-based inactivated influenza vaccines and pandemic influenza products.

Strengths

  • Global leader in influenza vaccines with multiple production technologies.

  • Strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities across continents.

  • Established partnerships with governments for pandemic response contracts.

Opportunities

  • Rising demand for flu vaccines among aging populations.

  • Expansion of cell-based vaccine technology for broader pandemic response.

  • Increasing investment in public health preparedness programs.

Challenges

  • Seasonal fluctuations in influenza vaccine demand.

  • Competitive pressure from other major flu vaccine manufacturers.

  • Dependence on government procurement and tender-based markets.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Achieved steady sales growth led by FLUAD’s strong global performance.

  • Secured key pandemic preparedness contracts in major markets.

  • Exploring strategic restructuring under the parent company, CSL.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

Overview

  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.

  • Established in 2000 through the merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham.

  • Operates as a global biopharma leader with strengths in vaccines, HIV, respiratory, and oncology.

Products

  • Shingrix (shingles vaccine), Arexvy (RSV vaccine), and Bexsero/Menveo (meningitis vaccines).

  • HIV treatments such as Dovato, Cabenuva, and Tivicay through ViiV Healthcare.

  • Oncology and respiratory portfolio including Jemperli, Nucala, and Trelegy.

Strengths

  • Broad vaccines expertise with strong market presence in over 100 countries.

  • Expanding pipeline in immunology, oncology, and infectious diseases.

  • Consistent revenue growth and solid R&D investment.

Opportunities

  • Geographic expansion for Shingrix and Arexvy.

  • Potential new indications for oncology and respiratory drugs.

  • Advancements in long-acting HIV therapies.

Challenges

  • Fluctuating vaccine demand due to seasonal variation.

  • Pricing pressures in developed markets.

  • Ongoing litigation risks and regulatory hurdles.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Reported significant sales growth across vaccines and specialty medicines.

  • Strengthened R&D pipeline with multiple late-stage trial successes.

  • Increased focus on specialty care and long-term growth outlook.

Sanofi

Overview

  • Headquarters: Paris, France.

  • Established in 1973 and evolved through multiple mergers into a global biopharma company.

  • Operates across immunology, oncology, vaccines, and rare diseases.

Products

  • Dupixent (immunology), Sarclisa (oncology), Aubagio (multiple sclerosis).

  • Vaccines including Fluzone, Flublok, and MenQuadfi.

  • Beyfortus (RSV antibody) developed in partnership with AstraZeneca.

Strengths

  • Strong global leadership in immunology and vaccines.

  • Robust pipeline with diversified therapeutic focus.

  • Expanding biologics and specialty care portfolio.

Opportunities

  • Expansion of Dupixent into new therapeutic indications.

  • Scaling up global RSV immunization programs.

  • Strengthening presence in specialty and rare disease markets.

Challenges

  • Competition from new biologics and biosimilars.

  • Pricing reforms in major European markets.

  • Ongoing restructuring efforts affecting short-term profitability.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Achieved strong performance in immunology and vaccine divisions.

  • Continued global rollout of Beyfortus for infant RSV prevention.

  • Investing in R&D to enhance its specialty medicine portfolio.

Pfizer

Overview

  • Headquarters: New York, United States.

  • Established in 1849, one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies.

  • Focused on oncology, vaccines, internal medicine, rare diseases, and immunology.

Products

  • Comirnaty (COVID-19 vaccine) and Paxlovid (COVID-19 treatment).

  • Vyndaqel, Eliquis, Prevnar, and Nurtec.

  • Abrysvo (RSV vaccine) and oncology drugs acquired from Seagen.

Strengths

  • Extensive global distribution network and manufacturing scale.

  • Strong financial position and R&D capabilities.

  • Broad product portfolio across multiple therapeutic areas.

Opportunities

  • Growth in oncology following the Seagen acquisition.

  • New launches in vaccines, migraine, and cardiology.

  • Pipeline innovation to offset patent expirations.

Challenges

  • Decline in COVID-19 product sales post-pandemic.

  • Patent losses and increasing biosimilar competition.

  • Pricing pressures across major healthcare systems.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Delivered double-digit growth in non-COVID product segments.

  • Strengthened oncology pipeline integration post-Seagen acquisition.

  • Implemented cost optimization initiatives to improve profitability.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company

Overview

  • Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan.

  • Founded in 1781, making it one of the oldest global pharmaceutical companies.

  • Operates in gastroenterology, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, and vaccines.

Products

  • Entyvio (IBD therapy), Takhzyro (HAE), Adcetris (oncology).

  • QDENGA (dengue vaccine) and a strong rare disease portfolio.

  • Ongoing R&D focus on novel biologics and gene therapies.

Strengths

  • Strong presence in the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets.

  • Leadership in gastrointestinal and rare disease therapies.

  • Robust late-stage pipeline supporting future growth.

Opportunities

  • Expansion of Entyvio in subcutaneous form and new indications.

  • Broader rollout of QDENGA dengue vaccine in emerging regions.

  • Advancing new therapies in oncology and immunology.

Challenges

  • Patent expirations and generic competition.

  • Currency fluctuations impacting reported earnings.

  • Balancing R&D investment with profitability targets.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Reported solid revenue growth driven by core products.

  • Strengthened late-stage pipeline with multiple new entries.

  • Continued global rollout of QDENGA dengue vaccine.

AstraZeneca

Overview

  • Headquarters: Cambridge, United Kingdom.

  • Formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group.

  • Focuses on oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, rare diseases, and vaccines.

Products

  • Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Calquence, Lynparza (oncology).

  • Farxiga and Brilinta (cardiovascular).

  • Tezspire, FluMist, Ultomiris, and Soliris (rare disease).

Strengths

  • Broad and innovative late-stage pipeline.

  • Consistent double-digit revenue growth across core segments.

  • Strong R&D investment with global collaboration network.

Opportunities

  • New indications and lifecycle management for oncology drugs.

  • Expansion of rare disease portfolio through Alexion.

  • Continued growth in cardiovascular and respiratory therapies.

Challenges

  • Competitive landscape in oncology and cardiovascular markets.

  • Pricing and reimbursement pressures globally.

  • Integration challenges from multiple acquisitions.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Achieved record revenues with growth across all major divisions.

  • Set long-term growth goals under its “Ambition 2030” strategy.

  • Reported multiple successful Phase III trial outcomes.

Bavarian Nordic

Overview

  • Headquarters: Hellerup, Denmark.

  • Established in 1994 as a biotechnology company specializing in vaccines.

  • Focused on infectious disease prevention and biodefense preparedness.

Products

  • JYNNEOS®/IMVANEX®/IMVAMUNE® (mpox/smallpox vaccine).

  • Rabipur/RabAvert (rabies) and Encepur (tick-borne encephalitis).

  • New vaccine candidates for Lyme disease and Epstein-Barr Virus.

Strengths

  • Proven expertise in vaccine development using MVA-BN® platform.

  • Reliable partner for global health agencies and governments.

  • Strong commercial performance in travel health and biodefense.

Opportunities

  • Expansion of travel vaccine portfolio and government contracts.

  • Development of next-generation Lyme and EBV vaccines.

  • Growing demand for mpox and smallpox preparedness globally.

Challenges

  • Revenue dependency on outbreak-driven vaccine demand.

  • Limited diversification beyond infectious diseases.

  • Production scalability and regulatory challenges.

Recent Development / Innovation / Announcement

  • Reported strong financial performance with improved EBITDA margins.

  • Expanded R&D pipeline with new Lyme and EBV programs.

  • Increased mpox vaccine orders supporting 2025 growth outlook.

Market Growth

The global cell-based vaccine market is on an upward trajectory, poised to generate substantial revenue growth, potentially climbing into the hundreds of millions over the forecast years from 2025 to 2034. This surge is attributed to evolving consumer preferences and technological advancements reshaping the industry.

Gove ment Investments: Various gove ments are investing in vaccine development due to rising cases of infectious diseases and cancer. Cell-based vaccines can provide personalized and high-level immune support, due to which more and more gove ments are investing and collaborating with private organizations as well.

For instance,

  • In July 2025, researchers have created the first-ever library of adjuvants, which are compounds that may improve the effectiveness of vaccinations intended to prevent some of the most deadly illnesses in the world. A database of 25 vaccine-enhancing adjuvants that may be "taken off the shelf" and added to newly created vaccines to combat epidemic and pandemic threats will be maintained by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The Coalition organised and provided funding for the $2.5 million project.

Cell-Based Vaccine Market Value Chain Analysis

R&D

Cell-based vaccine research and development (R&D) includes discovery (finding the target antigen and adjusting the cell system), proof-of-concept (evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in labs and animal models), pre-clinical development (adjusting cell lines, growth conditions, and bioreactors for large-scale manufacturing), clinical trials (evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in humans), regulatory approval (review by authorities prior to widespread use), and continuous post-approval monitoring.

Top Companies: CSL Seqirus for influenza vaccines, Serum Institute of India for its large-scale manufacturing using cell-based technology, and several biotechs like BriaCell Therapeutics and NexImmune

Clinical Trials and Regulatory Approvals

A multi-phase process that includes laboratory studies, animal testing, and human clinical trials (Phases 1, 2, and 3) to evaluate safety and efficacy is used for clinical trials and regulatory approval of cell-based vaccines. Following successful trials, a comprehensive application is submitted to regulatory bodies such as the FDA in the United States and the CDSCO in India for marketing approval.

Formulation and Final Dosage Preparation

To preserve potency and boost the immune response, the purified antigen is combined with adjuvants, stabilising agents, and preservatives in the formulation of cell-based vaccines. Following sterile packing into individual vials or syringes under aseptic conditions, the final dose preparation is diluting this vaccine formulation to the proper concentration for administration.

Packaging and Serialization

To guarantee safety and effectiveness, cell-based vaccines are packaged and serialised according to recognised good manufacturing procedures (GMP). The vaccine is stabilised, put into main containers, such as vials, and sealed under sterile circumstances throughout the formulation and filling steps of the process. The filled units are then serialised and labelled, which entails adding pertinent product and regulatory information along with unique IDs to each unit to facilitate tracking and traceability across the supply chain.

Top Companies: Companies like Almac, Catalent Biologics, Cryoport Systems, Saint-Gobain, Thermo Fisher Scientific, West Pharmaceuticals, and Yourway offer specialized packaging and serialization services for cell-based therapies

Distribution to Hospitals, Pharmacies

In order to distribute cell-based vaccines to hospitals and clinics, it is necessary to make sure that they are properly stored at particular temperatures (sometimes requiring a "cold chain"), transported in a way that maintains these conditions, and then administered to patients by medical staff at the hospitals and clinics.

Patient Support and Services

With an emphasis on patient safety, education, and handling any possible adverse effects, patient support and services in cell-based vaccine procedures mainly include pre-vaccination evaluation, vaccine delivery and monitoring, and post-vaccination follow-up.

Latest Announcements by Industry Leaders

In November 2024, according to a news release from CellVax CEO Fe ando Kreutz, up to 30% of patients may still develop recurrent prostate cancer following prostatectomy, even with recent advancements in radiation, surgery, and other treatments. Furthermore, salvage radiation and/or androgen deprivation treatment (ADT) are now the standard of care following such a recurrence, and both may result in a lower quality of life for individuals in terms of their health. FK-PC101 may be able to postpone, if not completely avoid, the need for such therapies.

Recent Developments in the Cell-Based Vaccine Market

  • In July 2025, researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have created a novel technique to produce billions of uncommon immune cells called conventional type I dendritic cells (cDC1s) in a ground-breaking study published in Cancer Immunology Research. This could lead to the development of a new class of commercially available cellular cancer vaccines.
  • In June 2024, the U.S. placed an order for 4.8 million doses of an adjuvanted, cell-based H5 vaccine to prepare for avian flu. The U.S. gove ment has chosen CSL Seqirus, a manufacturer of influenza vaccines, to conclude the fill and finish process for a "pre-pandemic vaccine that is well-matched to the H5 of the currently circulating H5N1 strain."

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