CSL

CSL Biotherapies manufactures and markets vaccines and pharmaceutical products in Australia and New Zealand and is responsible for international sales of influenza vaccines. In-licensed pharmaceutical products include vaccines and a range of neurological, cardio-thoracic, dermatological, analgesic, urological, allergy and emergency products.

Strong sales of the GARDASIL* vaccine in Australia of $227 million, continuing expansion of our international influenza vaccine business and increased sales of in-licensed pharmaceuticals underpin our significant sales revenue growth to $481 million – up 52% on last year.

The success of the GARDASIL* national immunisation program in Australia is reflected in the number of women vaccinated to date and in awards received during the year. However, the Government funded catch-up vaccination program is now largely complete. A special award at the Ethical Investor Sustainability Awards for Social and Community Relations recognised GARDASIL* for demonstrating innovation and therapeutic value in management of a major condition affecting many people. GARDASIL* also received an award for Best Ethical Product in the 2007 Australian Journal of Pharmacy Awards which recognise excellence in the Australian pharmaceutical industry.

Following US FDA approval in September last year, our Afluria® influenza vaccine has been launched in the US. CSL’s influenza vaccines are now registered in twenty-seven countries and international sales continue to expand. The capital works completed at our Melbourne plant this year provide the significant extra capacity required to support the continued expansion of our influenza vaccine business. During the year, the TGA gave approval for registration of our Panvax® avian influenza vaccine developed in collaboration with the Australian Government.

Several new in-licensed products have been launched including Solaraze (Laboratorios Almirall, S.A.) and Thelin (Encysive Pharmaceuticals Inc). Solaraze is a topical treatment for the management of actinic keratoses, skin lesions common in Australian adults that can develop after years of exposure to ultraviolet light, such as sunlight. Thelin is for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Q-Fever is primarily an occupational disease of people working in Australia’s meat and livestock industries. Only CSL produces a vaccine against this disease, Q-Vax®, being part of our commitment to products of national significance. The new state-of-the-art Q-Fever vaccine facility being built by CSL at our Broadmeadows site in Melbourne is on schedule to be opened in 2009.

_{*GARDASIL is a trademark of Merck & Co. Inc.}