GSK, Sanofi and CSL Ltd have secured $72 million from the U.S. government to ramp up production of bird flu vaccines, a health official said on Friday during a press briefing. The move comes as a multi-state outbreak among livestock and poultry has caused human illnesses and infected more than 254 herds in 14 states since March,

The U.S. government has granted $72 million to European pharma giants GSK Plc (NYSE:GSK), Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:SNY) and Australian firm CSL Limited (OTC:CSLLY) to more than double the U.S. supply of bird flu vaccines.

The Center for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is giving $72 million to three drugmakers to help fortify the US supply of bird flu vaccine ahead of 2025. The funding was disclosed by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response,

CSL Seqirus, Sanofi and GSK have collectively secured $72 million in funding from the U.S. health department to boost the country’s supply of bird flu vaccines. | CSL Seqirus, Sanofi and GSK have collectively secured $72 million in funding from the U.

Australia's CSL said on Wednesday it has got a contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) worth $121.4 million to increase the U.S. government's stockpile for bird flu vaccines to 40 million doses.

Sanofi (SNY), and CSL (CSLLY) win $72M U.S. contract to expand bird flu vaccine production amid fears of human transmission. Read more here.