CSL Limited Annual Report 2021/22 32 Our strategic scientific platforms To ensure a robust and diverse innovation pipeline based on a foundation of scientific excellence, CSL continues to strengthen its therapeutic area focus. We use our strategic scientific platforms of plasma fractionation, recombinant protein technology, cell and gene therapy, and vaccines technology to support continued innovation and continually refine ways in which products can address unmet medical needs, help prevent infectious disease and protect public health, and help patients lead full lives. Plasma Fractionation Plasma is a valuable resource for many current and potentially new biological therapies. We rely upon our donors to provide this lifesaving resource and as such, CSL Behring has an obligation to maximise the development and delivery of important products from this vital resource for the benefit of patients. Maximising patient benefit through our yield and reliability programs for donated plasma continues to be an important, strategic area of focus for CSL as we strive to be the industry pacesetter. Recombinant Protein Technology The capability to develop and manufacture recombinant proteins facilitates the ability to manipulate the sequence of naturally occurring proteins to achieve desired therapeutic goals, such as the ability to replace a patient’s own deficient or inactive protein, selectively target specific biological mechanisms, enhance potency and improve pharmacokinetics, resulting in more effective, highly differentiated medicines with the potential to optimise the route and frequency of delivery. Monoclonal antibodies are a specific subset of recombinant proteins that are developed to have a highly specific targeting to block or enhance certain biologic or immune processes which lead to disease states – the specificity of the targeting of monoclonal antibodies ensures very high efficacy with minimal side-effects. Cell and Gene Therapy Cell and gene therapies are highly innovative, next-generation products that, after decades of research and development, are now starting to improve the lives of patients with serious diseases. For diseases with few effective therapeutic options, such as certain blood cell cancers, or where successful therapy has required a lifetime of regular symptomatic treatment, such as rare inherited genetic deficiencies, they offer the promise of a long-term cure. The fundamental differentiating characteristic of cell and gene therapies is that the patient’s own cells are manipulated to produce the disease-correcting protein, rather than the traditional approach of manufacturing the protein and then periodically administering it to the patient. Vaccines Technology CSL’s Seqirus business is a global leader in seasonal influenza prevention and control and a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness. Our broad range of influenza vaccines – egg-based and cell-based products, seasonal, pre-pandemic and pandemic influenza vaccines – meets the needs of different populations around the world. CSL’s commitment to population protection is evidenced through our innovative vaccines pipeline, which includes next generation technologies such as aQIVc and self-amplifying mRNA. Global collaborations for innovation Our R&D portfolio focuses on innovation in new products, improved products and manufacturing expertise, ensuring our continued growth. In pursuit of these goals, we recognise and embrace that we cannot, and should not, do it ourselves. Thus, CSL continues to identify and build strategic collaborations that align with our therapeutic areas of focus and enhance our chances of bringing forward beneficial disruptive innovation. An incubator, to be located at CSL’s new global corporate headquarters under construction in the world-leading Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, will support start-up companies to translate promising medical research into commercial outcomes. The incubator will be the first and only incubator in Australia co-located with a leading biotechnology company. This has been made possible with financial and in-kind support from CSL, University of Melbourne and the WEHI, who have formed an incorporated joint venture to establish and operate the incubator, plus a contribution from Breakthrough Victoria, an independent Victorian Government owned company administering the Victorian Government’s landmark A$2 billion Breakthrough Victoria Fund. The incubator is scheduled to open to startups in 2023 with cutting edge facilities for up to 40 early stage companies from around Australia. Located over two floors of CSL’s new corporate headquarters being built in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, the incubator will have one floor of purpose-built wet laboratory space and another for meetings and office space. There, the incubator will be embedded alongside seven floors of leading-edge laboratory and clinical manufacturing space supporting CSL’s own R&D programs. ‘ CSL is driven by our promise as a patient-focused organisation, so this incubator model clearly aligns with our Values and Purpose. We are well positioned to support incubator residents, whose experience often lies purely within the lab, better understand clinical and commercial aspects of medicines development that may be foreign or new to them.’ Paul Perreault, Chief Executive Office 6 Powered by Innovation
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