CSL Limited Annual Report 2022/23 32 Overview of R&D at CSL What stands CSL in good stead is its quantitative approach to understanding the nature and biology of a disease at a molecular and cellular level, combined with a deep understanding of the clinical and commercial aspects of those diseases where the aim is to introduce new and advanced products. We understand that true breakthroughs in medicine often arise from challenging conventional thinking and exploring novel approaches. As such, our R&D teams are at the forefront of disruptive innovation, constantly seeking out new and unexplored avenues to tackle the most pressing medical challenges. By embracing a forward-thinking mindset and pushing the boundaries of what is possible, we strive to revolutionise the treatment landscape for various diseases. Innovation in CSL is driven by its R&D organisation with employees located within biotech hubs and precincts around the world that are linked to strong research networks and collaborations that we actively establish and foster. A philosophy of global collaboration underpins CSL’s presence within those research precincts and provides access to worldwide, leading innovation to advance the discovery and development of pioneering biotherapies to address unmet medical needs. These dynamic environments provide the perfect ecosystem for fostering innovation and collaboration and provide valuable opportunities for our scientists to interact, discover and ideate with external partners. By situating our employees in these strategic locations, we ensure that they have access to the latest scientific advancements and cutting-edge technologies, inspiring them to think creatively and push the boundaries of knowledge. Expanding R&D footprint Integral to accelerating the development of CSL’s new products and technologies is investment in its strategic growth. CSL continues to advance its global programs and teams and expand the R&D footprint with: • more than 2,000 R&D employees in 10 countries, working in integrated teams; • R&D centres located in leading biomedical locations including: – Melbourne, Australia; – Shanghai, China; – Marburg, Germany; – Siena, Italy; – Tokyo, Japan; – Amsterdam, the Netherlands; – Palma de Mallorca, Spain; – Bern and Zurich, Switzerland; – London, UK; – Holly Springs, Kankakee, King of Prussia, Pasadena and Waltham, United States; • access to worldwide, leading innovation that leverages both the knowledge from CSL employees as well as from research and medical institutions/alliances proximate to CSL’s R&D centres. Over the last 12 months, a number of key achievements have been reached regarding CSL’s investment in strategic growth. • Following meticulous planning and construction spanning four years, CSL proudly inaugurated its new CSL Global Headquarters and Centre for R&D in Melbourne, Australia, in March 2023. Situated in the heart of the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct, this cutting-edge facility stands tall with 18 stories, offering a productive and inspiring environment for over 850 employees. The nine levels of leading-edge, world-class laboratories and facilities were completed in June/July 2023. Also located at CSL Melbourne is Australia’s first-of-its-kind biotech incubator – Jumar Bioincubator – which was developed in partnership with WEHI and the University of Melbourne with initial investment from Breakthrough Victoria. Jumar Bioincubator is a space for external collaborators, innovators, and start-ups to translate their medical research. CSL Melbourne has over 35,000 square metres of floor space, including purpose-built wet laboratory space and is just 500 metres from the Bio21 Institute, where CSL’s early stage research team has been based for over 10 years and will further enable collaboration with other researchers in this multidisciplinary biomedical precinct. Our new location is perfectly suited for collaborating with external partners, a key component of our CSL R&D strategy. These facilities are world-class, which will not only support CSL’s talented R&D teams, but the new space further fosters the type of culture we value as a company – one that’s open, collaborative, and transparent. Dr WilliamMezzanotte, Head of R&D and Chief Medical Officer • Following three years of construction, the new R&D campus, in Marburg, Germany, opened its doors in September 2022 and is now home to about 500 CSL R&D employees. In addition, it will host academic partners and collaborators. The R&D campus is almost 40,000 square metres, including 7,400 square metres of laboratory space, 10,300 square metres of working space, a state-of-the-art vivarium and 905 square metres of collaborative laboratory space. As one of the homes for CSL’s future innovation, innovative sustainability was a key driver when designing the building. The campus was constructed according to KfW (a German state-owned investment and development bank) eligibility criteria for green financing. The investment is consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations – it contributes to the sustainability targets #7 – Affordable and Clean Energy and #13 – Climate Action. • CSL’s new state-of-the art R&D centre in Waltham, Massachusetts, in the United States, officially opened in March 2023 and will support CSL’s growing R&D portfolio, including the next-generation of mRNA vaccine technology, for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. The custom-built facility consists of approximately 13,000 square metres overall with 5,000 square metres of laboratory space – including the first biosafety level 3 laboratory (BSL-3) in Waltham – and the ability to house about 300 full-time employees. 6 Powered by Innovation
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