The new state-of-the-art facility in Broadmeadows allows CSL’s manufacturing site to process up to 9.2 million plasma equivalent litres per annum. This is a nine-fold increase on current capacity for the site and will help meet the increasing demand for plasma-based, life-saving therapies for patients around the world.
Plasma-derived therapies treat those with immunodeficiencies, neurological disorders, shock and burns. They are used in operating rooms around the world for transplant patients, surgical patients and cancer patients.
The investment ensures the Broadmeadows site continues to play an important role in the manufacture and supply of life-saving medicines into Australia and other key markets, as well as secures advanced manufacturing jobs in Australia.
CSL has invested around $2 billion in the Broadmeadows site over the past decade, demonstrating strong support for Australia’s biopharma manufacturing capabilities and reinforcing the company’s confidence in the skills and expertise of the Australian workforce in delivering key infrastructure projects of this calibre.
The Broadmeadows Plasma Fractionation Facility is part of CSL’s current $2 billion dollar plus investment program focused on Australia, which also includes a next generation influenza vaccine manufacturing facility for CSL Seqirus at Tullamarine, and CSL’s new global headquarters and R&D facilities located in the heart of Melbourne’s biomedical precinct.
CSL CEO and Managing Director, Paul Perreault, said:
“Today is a great day for patients, CSL and for biopharma manufacturing in Australia. As part of our multibillion-dollar capital expansion currently underway across Australia, this new facility builds on our long and proud Australian heritage and represents a bright future for our CSL Broadmeadows site. It also ensures we are developing the skills and expertise locally to support advanced manufacturing in Australia.
“With the construction of this new facility in Victoria, CSL will continue to meet the increasing demand for our plasma biotherapies not only in Australia, but also for our patients worldwide who rely on us every day."
“Over the past 10 years, CSL has invested close to $2 billion into Broadmeadows, helping transform the site into an important part of CSL’s global manufacturing network and a significant contributor to the company’s success in the decades to come.”
Plasma fractionation is the process of separating the components of human blood plasma. The new facility creates protein-rich plasma pastes that are then processed into finished biotherapy products in other facilities at the Broadmeadows site.
CSL is a key partner of the National Blood Authority in accordance with the National Fractionation Agreement for Australia. This agreement was renewed in 2018. As part of the renewal, CSL committed to supporting Australian patients with their lifesaving medications including transitioning their offering to new products in their new facilities.
The new CSL Fractionation Facility in Broadmeadows will process domestic plasma from Australian, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysian donor plasma, in addition to commercially sourced plasma through CSL Plasma (a subsidiary of CSL), one of the world’s largest collectors of human plasma.
CSL Behring has constructed a similar fractionation facility simultaneously in Marburg, Germany, with the projects promoting cross-functional and cross-cultural development opportunities for the company’s global employees.
The new Australian Plasma Fractionation Facility has received approval by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and is expected to be fully operational from early 2023.
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