CSL outsources anti-venom production to PlasVacc

Queensland based veterinary plasma company PlasVacc has signed and agreement to supply CSL with horse plasma for anti-venom applications.

Under the terms of the agreement PlasVacc will immunise horses with snake venom, producing plasma that can be used in anti-venom preparations for both humans and animals. It is the first time that CSL has outsourced the key raw material for anti-venom production.

The deal is likely to open doors to the wider human pharmaceuticals market for the company, which has upgraded its facilities to comply with TGA guidelines, said co-founder and director Andrew MacArthur. PlasVacc has been working with CSL for more than three years towards the agreement, he said.

Until now PlasVacc has concentrated on veterinary plasma products for horses camels and dogs, registered with the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

The company expects to be registered with the appropriate authorities in the USA and Canada in the near future.

In the meantime, PlasVacc is accelerating its plans to move into the human pharmaceuticals market and is looking at raising capital midyear for expansion.

“We see enormous potential to expand into untapped areas of the market, both here and overseas and look forward to taking our business plan to the market towards the middle of 2004,” MacArthur said.