Plasma manufacturing drives CSL

A big jump in the volume of plasma produced by biotechnology giant CSL has created positive momentum for the Melbourne company as it continues its emergence from the global pandemic.

The company reported a 36 percent increase in plasma collection in the first half – plasma collections sank during the pandemic as Covid restrictions affected medical related industries.

The contribution of the company’s immunoglobulin portfolio of products increases 19 per cent and albumin, both derived from human blood, by 11 percent.

CEO Paul Perreault, who has led the global company for 10 years, reported a net profit after tax of $1.62 billion for the six months on a constant currency basis, with underlying net profit of $1.82 billion, up 10 percent on the previous corresponding period.

Revenue was up 25 percent .

Perreault said: “CSL delivered a solid performance in the first half of the financial year demonstrating the strong fundamentals of the company and the disciplined execution of our patient focused strategy.

“(The acceleration in) plasma collections underpins our ability to manufacture our plasma products going forward which is excellent news for patient care.”

During the half CSL advanced building works on a new $800 million cell-culture facility in Melbourne.

The company saw growth in its recombinant haemophilia B product IDELVION of 22 percent and of its preoperative bleeding product KCENTRA of eight percent.

Picture: CSL/plasma manufacturing