Biotech giant CSL $235m expansion in Melbourne
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16 July 2010
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Biotechnology giant CSL Limited is set to embark on a new $235 million project at its Melbourne manufacturing site in the northern suburb of Broadmeadows.
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The centrepiece of the project will be the creation of Victoria’s first large scale biotechnology facility for the late stage development of new therapies for cancer, bleeding disorders, inflammation and infection.
“Our world-class R&D portfolio contains promising life-saving therapies for a range of serious human diseases. This new facility will enable CSL to develop innovative products for clinical trials and future patient use,” said CSL’s CEO, Dr Brian McNamee.
“This significant project enables us to build on our existing capabilities and research collaborations, further develop the nation’s biotechnology skills and work towards our important goal of improving the lives of people with life-threatening disease.”
Victorian Premier John Brumby said the Victorian Government had supported the CSL investment which would further position Victoria as an international leader in biotechnology.
“Today’s announcement is great news for jobs, great news for the local economy and is a great example of what can be achieved through partnerships between government and the private sector,” Mr Brumby said.
“Victoria has earned itself a reputation as the biotech hub of the Asia-Pacific and we are well on the way to becoming one of the world’s top five biotech destinations.
“CSL’s expansion will be important in driving our biotech excellence and is a vote of confidence in our state’s investment attraction capabilities.
CSL develop and manufacture vaccines and plasma-based protein biotherapies for supply to the Australian and international markets. CSL currently employees around 10,000 people in 27 countries across the world, including about 1500 in Victoria.
Victoria’s biotech sector employs around 22,000 people. The market capitalisation of Victoria’s listed biotech companies in 2009 was $23.8 billion — which has tripled since 2001-02. |
