CSL opens recombinant therapy plant in Vic
CSL (ASX:CSL) has opened a new biotechnology manufacturing facility in Melbourne to support the company’s global drug development strategy.
The CSL Behring Biotechnology Manufacturing Facility is adjacent to CSL Behring’s plasma product manufacturing plant in Broadmeadows.
The new facility will focus on producing recombinant therapies - modified versions of naturally occurring human proteins tweaked to act as therapeutics - for international clinical trials.
CSL’s R&D pipeline includes recombinant therapies for diseases including bleeding disorders, inflammatory conditions and cancer.
The first therapy to be manufactured at the facility will be a blood-clotting factor for haemophilia, rVIIa-FP, which is due to enter clinical trials later this year.
CSL CEO Paul Perreault said a key factor behind the decision to locate the new facility in Australia was “outstanding Australian science ... it made sense to complement our excellent research capabilities here with the facilities to advance innovative science through to clinical trials”.
He said the company has been investing in expanding its Broadmeadows site, with the aim of quadrupling its manufacturing capacity by 2018. The Victorian and federal governments have co-invested in the $257 million expansion project.
CSL (ASX:CSL) shares were trading 1% higher at $69.94 as of around 1 pm on Tuesday.
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