options trade #1, page-13

re: options trade #1 ... nickoo The Announcement says it All Towie


The Beginning of the End for Cervical Cancer

Document date: Thu 21 Nov 2002 Published: Thu 21 Nov 2002 09:34:18
Document No: 198130 Document part: A
Market Flag: Y
Classification: Other
CSL LIMITED 2002-11-21 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Melbourne

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
CSL Limited announced today that an investigational monovalent
vaccine evaluated in a proof-of-principle study by Merck & Co, Inc
and incorporating a breakthrough technology licensed from CSL to
Merck & Co, Inc demonstrated 100% protection against human
papillomavirus (HPV) 16 - one type of HPV commonly associated with
cervical cancer.

The results of the Proof of Principal study, undertaken by Merck &
Co, Inc, were published today in the prestigious The New England
Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

In 1995, as part of the development by Merck of the HPV vaccine,
Merck exclusively licensed from CSL technology developed by CSL and
Professor Ian Frazer of the University of Queensland.

In addition to worldwide royalties, CSL has the exclusive right to
market any Merck HPV vaccine developed using this technology in
Australia and New Zealand.

Currently, Merck is developing an investigational multivalent vaccine
that is targeted against four common types of HPV - types 16, 18, 6
and 11. Studies to evaluate this multivalent investigational vaccine
are under way including the Australian arm of a multinational Phase
III study being conducted at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.

Principal investigator in the Australian arm of the trial Professor
Suzanne Garland from Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne said, "This
is an exciting result as it could potentially represent a major
breakthrough in the reduction of incidence of HPV 16 infection and
related cervical disease. The technology behind the vaccine is
potentially one of Australia's most important medical discoveries."

In an accompanying editorial in the NEJM, Professor Christopher Crum
(MD) from the Harvard Medical School said, "This study puts to rest
the recurring question posed by immunologists as to whether this type
of vaccine can protect the highly vulnerable cervical epithelium
(lining) from cancer-causing HPV.

"The study demonstrates that the vaccine not only prevents the
disease from developing, but also prevents the causative agent from
residing in the genital tract."

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer amongst women,
with 450,000 women diagnosed with the disease worldwide every year.
In Australia, despite a highly successful cervical screening program,
cervical cancer claims a significant number of Australian lives.

For further information please contact:

Louis Reginato Ph: 02 9928 1570 or 0402 447 111
Lisa Jervis Ph: 02 9928 1506 or 0419 432 239