CSL Ltd Annual Report 2020

CSL employees in the United States of America have formed a Political Action Committee (PAC). CSL provides a small budget to cover PAC operational costs as is allowed by US law, but the PAC is managed by an employee member board. CSL otherwise does not control or manage the PAC nor contribute any funds for distribution by the PAC to political candidates. Management of the PAC is at the discretion of the PAC employee member board. Examples of public policy initiatives across our regions Asia CSL Behring is working with stakeholders in China to explore ways for rare disease patients to gain broader access to treatments as part of the Greater Bay Area healthcare initiative. Australia CSL has continued to engage with the biotech sector and the Australian Government particularly in relation to the importance of a competitive business environment for R&D and advanced manufacturing. Europe CSL Behring is participating in policy discussions at the European level, including in relation to the European Blood Directive and the European Pharmaceutical Strategy, to ensure patient access to plasma and other biopharmaceutical therapies and to foster an environment for innovation. To help supply information for policy analysis, discussion, and to better target educational materials and campaigns, Seqirus sponsored a study on key factors driving influenza immunisation for older adults (50+) in four different European countries. Geography, more than age or other factors, was the main factor in differences of risk and benefit of vaccination, and results were presented at events in both the UK and European Parliament. To elevate the need for prevention and vaccination in older adults, Seqirus worked with the International Longevity Center to conduct events at the G20 Minister of Health Conference in Okayama, Japan, and at the Wellcome Trust in London with key stakeholders outside public health including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Economic Forum (Davos). Given the rapidly ageing population of Europe and the UK, and growing pressures on the national health service, tackling influenza is an important challenge, especially during the winter months when flu and other related health conditions are most prevalent. Campaigns were sponsored by Seqirus across Europe to educate, and develop and provide information to non-governmental organisations, providers, medical practice managers, older adults, adults with high-risk conditions, carers and others in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain to increase vaccination rates and reduce the burden of influenza. Additionally, with the burden of COVID-19 and concerns of co-circulation, Seqirus sponsored a European-wide webinar series on preparing for and managing influenza during the COVID-19 pandemic. North America CSL Behring is working with policy stakeholders on a variety of initiatives to ensure appropriate patient access to immunoglobulin in the home setting for the treatment of CIDP, and to ensure safe and adequate plasma collection capacity in the context of the COVID-19 situation. In December 2019, Seqirus submitted a concept paper in response to the US President’s Executive Order: ‘Modernizing Influenza Vaccines in the United States to Promote National Security and Public Health’. The paper outlines the areas of Seqirus research, development and operations that would deliver better matched vaccines faster and with more capacity, enhancing the US ability to respond to both seasonal and pandemic influenza strains. Seqirus has supported the efforts of the Coalition to Stop Flu, a multisector US advocacy coalition dedicated to ending deaths from seasonal and pandemic influenza. The Coalition’s policy agenda is aimed at saving lives and protecting public health by enhancing the US influenza ecosystem, including ensuring adequate resources for priority influenza programs. Since the universal influenza vaccine recommendation was declared in the US in 2010, many stakeholders have worked together to support the implementation. Seqirus has worked with these key stakeholders over the last several years, with a particular focus on influenza vaccination amongst adults and older adults. This year, we have partnered with the Immunization Action Coalition, National Foundation for Infectious Disease, and the Adult Vaccine Access Coalition, amongst others, to support a number of educational, communications and advocacy activities to raise awareness of enhanced vaccines for older adults. These activities have supported the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices review of the enhanced vaccine category. In Canada, Seqirus worked with the Lung Association to bring educational forums about the importance of influenza vaccine and new technologies to the provinces. CSL Limited Annual Report 2020 39