CSL

What CSL does

CSL Limited is a Melbourne-headquartered, ASX-listed global biotechnology company (founded 1916, ~30,000 employees, operations in 100+ countries) operating through four business units: CSL Behring (plasma-derived and recombinant therapies for rare diseases), CSL Seqirus (influenza vaccines and antivenoms), CSL Vifor (iron deficiency and nephrology, acquired 2022 for US$11.7 billion), and CSL Plasma (~350 donation centers). Its R&D platform spans plasma protein technology, recombinant technology, cell and gene therapy, and vaccine technology, with active programs including the HEMGENIX gene therapy for hemophilia B (priced at ~US$3.5M per treatment), the ANDEMBRY plasma-derived therapy for hereditary angioedema, CSL305 (complement/FcRn dual-target antibody), and the self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine ARCT-154 developed with Arcturus Therapeutics.

The company's revenue model combines multi-channel enterprise sales (direct to hospitals, specialty pharmacies, and hematology centers for plasma-derived therapies), government procurement contracts for influenza vaccines (including a 2026 cell-based pandemic preparedness contract with Canada's PHAC), and one-time high-value pricing for gene therapies. Plasma supply is secured through the company's own donation center network, and manufacturing is anchored by capital-intensive specialized facilities including a US$1 billion cell-based vaccine plant in Melbourne (opened December 2025) and a US$1.5 billion Illinois plasma expansion announced for 2031 completion. CSL invests approximately US$1.4 billion annually in R&D.

CSL is currently in an active restructuring and leadership transition phase: following the retirement of CEO Paul McKenzie in February 2026, Gordon Naylor was appointed Interim CEO; the company announced a 15% workforce reduction (~4,350 employees) targeting US$500-550 million in annualized savings; and FY26-FY27 non-cash impairments of US$5 billion were disclosed alongside a lowered revenue guidance of ~US$15.2 billion. The planned spin-off of CSL Seqirus has been delayed due to weakening US influenza vaccination demand, while recent outbound licensing deals (Eli Lilly clazakizumab for US$100M upfront; Memo Therapeutics up to CHF 265M) reflect a more selective capital allocation posture.

Name

CSL

Legal name

CSL Limited ACN 051 588 348

Website

https://csl.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1916

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

CSL Limited is a global biotechnology company developing plasma-derived therapies, recombinant proteins, gene therapies, and influenza vaccines for patients with rare and serious diseases, serving healthcare providers and public health agencies in over 100 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Plasma-Derived Therapeutics (immunoglobulins, albumin, clotting factors) (HLAAAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plasma Fractionation & Purification Manufacturing (HLAIAHAI), Plasma-Derived Coagulation Factors (Hemophilia Therapies) (HLAIAHAB), Plasma-Derived & Blood Products Distributors (HLAIAJAJ), Plasma-Derived Therapy Quality, Safety & Pharmacovigilance (Pathogen Reduction/Testing) (HLAIAHAK)

Keywords

• Plasma-derived therapies
• Influenza vaccines
• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Rare disease treatments
• Plasma collection services

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Biopharmaceutical Product Sales: CSL's primary revenue stream from selling plasma-derived therapies (CSL Behring) and influenza vaccines (CSL Seqirus). Products include immunoglobulins (Privigen, Hizentra), clotting factors, albumin, and specialty therapies for rare diseases.
2. Acquisition Revenue (Vifor Pharma): CSL acquired Vifor Pharma for US$11.7 billion to expand into nephrology, iron deficiency, and related therapies. Vifor contributes iron deficiency treatments and nephrology products.
3. Licensing and Milestone Payments: CSL out-licenses technologies and drug candidates to partners. Examples include the $100M upfront deal with Eli Lilly for clazakizumab, and up to CHF 265M potential from Memo Therapeutics for recombinant polyclonal IgG.
4. Government Vaccine Contracts: CSL Seqirus holds government contracts for pandemic preparedness, including agreements with national health agencies for influenza vaccine supply.
5. Gene Therapy Commercialization: CSL commercializes HEMGENIX (etranacogene dezaparvovec), a one-time gene therapy for hemophilia B, licensed from uniQure, generating revenue through treatment pricing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CSL develops, manufactures, and commercializes plasma-derived and recombinant biotherapies, influenza vaccines, gene therapies, and iron deficiency / nephrology treatments for rare and serious diseases. Through its CSL Behring, CSL Seqirus, CSL Vifor, and CSL Plasma business units, the company operates end-to-end from plasma collection through manufacturing to worldwide distribution across more than 100 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HEMGENIX (etranacogene dezaparvovec-drlb) One-time gene therapy for adults with hemophilia B, developed by uniQure and licensed to CSL for global commercialization. Priced at approximately US$3.5 million per treatment, with 94% of patients remaining free from continuous prophylaxis through five years in clinical follow-up.
• Privigen Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy for primary immunodeficiency and other immune-related conditions; one of CSL Behring's flagship plasma-derived products.
• Hizentra Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy for primary immunodeficiency, delivered as a self-administered home infusion.
• ANDEMBRY CSL's plasma-derived treatment for hereditary angioedema (HAE), representing an innovative therapy in the HAE treatment landscape.
• CSL Behring broad plasma-derived and recombinant therapy portfolio (immunoglobulins, clotting factors, albumin, specialty therapies for primary immunodeficiency, hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, hereditary angioedema, Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, neurological disorders) Plasma-derived and recombinant therapies for rare and serious diseases marketed by CSL Behring. The portfolio is described by CSL as the broadest in the industry and serves patients globally through healthcare providers and specialty pharmacies.
• TAVNEOS (avacopan) Oral treatment for severe ANCA-associated vasculitis, commercialized by CSL and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP) outside the U.S. (originally developed by ChemoCentryx, acquired by Amgen in 2022).
• CSL Seqirus influenza vaccine portfolio (cell-based Flucelvax, adjuvanted Fluad, and other seasonal influenza vaccines) One of the world's largest influenza vaccine franchises. CSL Seqirus produces seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and holds government pandemic preparedness contracts (e.g., Canada's Public Health Agency).
• CSL Seqirus antivenoms and Q-fever vaccine Australia's antivenoms and Q-fever vaccine, produced at CSL's Melbourne facility — the only site in the world producing Australia's eleven antivenoms.
• ARCT-154 self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine Self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine co-developed with Arcturus Therapeutics, demonstrating superior immunogenicity compared with conventional mRNA vaccines at substantially lower dose.
• CSL Vifor iron deficiency and nephrology product portfolio (incl. Ferinject/Injectafer and related therapies) Iron deficiency treatments, nephrology products, and rare kidney disease therapies obtained through the US$11.7 billion acquisition of Vifor Pharma completed in August 2022. Commercialized primarily through CSL Vifor with headquarters in Zurich.
• Plasma collection services (CSL Plasma) Plasma donation services operated through CSL Plasma's nearly 350 centers globally (approximately 300 centers across 43 U.S. states), supplying raw plasma for CSL Behring's fractionation and manufacturing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of HEMGENIX patients remained free from continuous prophylaxis treatment through five years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Canada Public Health Agency (PHAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2026CSL Seqirus awarded contract to supply millions of doses of cell-based adjuvanted influenza vaccines for pandemic preparedness, contingent on WHO pandemic declaration. Replaces previous egg-based vaccine contract and strengthens Canada's ability to respond to influenza pandemics.
• Eli LillycoreTechnology or Integration · 17 February 2026CSL granted Eli Lilly rights to develop and commercialize clazakizumab, an anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody, for indications beyond cardiovascular event prevention in end-stage kidney disease. CSL received $100 million upfront and is eligible for clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones plus royalties on global net sales. CSL retains rights for the kidney disease cardiovascular indication.
• Memo Therapeutics AG (MTx)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026Strategic collaboration and exclusive option-to-license agreement for MTx's recombinant polyclonal IgG technology using the DROPZYLLA platform. CSL provides R&D funding and receives option to license the technology, with potential milestones and license fees totalling up to CHF 265 million (USD 328 million) plus single-digit royalties. Collaboration aims to develop treatments for rare and serious diseases.
• Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVFMCRP and CSL commercialize TAVNEOS (avacopan) outside the US under collaboration. Drug was originally developed by ChemoCentryx, acquired by Amgen in 2022. EMA recommended revocation of EU marketing authorization due to data integrity concerns in pivotal trial.
• World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL participates in WFH Humanitarian Aid Program, donating treatments to underserved parts of the world for nearly two decades. Also supports WFH Path to Access to Care and Treatment (PACT) Program. WHO adopted landmark resolution on equity in hemophilia and other bleeding disorders in May 2026.
• Arcturus TherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on self-amplifying mRNA (sa-mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine ARCT-154, demonstrating superior immunogenicity compared to conventional mRNA vaccines at one-sixth the dose through 12 months post-vaccination.
• University of BernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL Biologics Research Center at sitem collaborates with University of Bern researchers on sickle cell disease biomarker studies and other translational medicine projects.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSL supports WHO initiatives including adoption of landmark resolution on equity in hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. WHO recognition elevates bleeding disorders as global health priority.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Grifols: Grifols is one of the world's largest plasma fractionators, producing immunoglobulin, albumin, and clotting factor products that directly compete with CSL Behring's portfolio. Both companies operate end-to-end plasma collection networks and serve the same rare disease patient populations globally.
• Takeda Pharmaceutical (Shire/Baxalta Plasma-Derived Therapies): Takeda acquired Shire/Baxalta and operates one of the largest plasma-derived therapy franchises globally, directly competing with CSL Behring in immunoglobulin and rare disease markets including hemophilia. Both companies target similar therapeutic areas with biological products derived from human plasma.
• Octapharma: Octapharma is a privately-held global human protein manufacturer producing immunoglobulins, coagulation factors, and albumin from plasma, directly competing with CSL Behring in the same therapeutic categories and patient segments for rare diseases.
• Kedrion Biopharma: Kedrion is a privately-held plasma-derived therapy manufacturer focused on rare diseases and hemophilia care, directly competing with CSL Behring in plasma fractionation and distribution across global markets, including US plasma collection operations.
• Sanofi Pasteur (Influenza Vaccines): Sanofi Pasteur is one of the world's largest influenza vaccine manufacturers (Fluzone, Efluelda), directly competing with CSL Seqirus in seasonal and pandemic flu vaccine markets. The two companies actively compete for government immunization contracts and represent each other's largest rival in this segment.

Broad incumbents

• GSK (Vaccines Division): GSK produces influenza vaccines (Fluarix) among its broader vaccine and biopharma portfolio, competing with CSL Seqirus in seasonal flu markets. As a broader biopharmaceutical incumbent, GSK competes across multiple categories but lacks the cell-based influenza manufacturing specialization of CSL.
• AstraZeneca (FluMist): AstraZeneca's FluMist nasal influenza vaccine competes with CSL Seqirus in the consumer and government seasonal flu vaccine markets. As a broad biopharma incumbent, AstraZeneca differs in scale and scope but overlaps specifically in influenza vaccine offerings.
• Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company with a similar growth-and-margin profile to CSL, focused on specialty and rare disease therapies with high gross margins. While not directly overlapping in products, Vertex represents a comparable business model archetype for premium-priced specialty biologics.

Emerging players

• BioMarin Pharmaceutical: BioMarin is a rare disease-focused biopharmaceutical company developing gene and enzyme therapies for conditions including hemophilia (Roctavian), directly competing with CSL's HEMGENIX gene therapy and broader rare disease franchise. Both companies target ultra-orphan patient populations with premium-priced biologics.

Others

• CSL Behring's Vifor Pharma (acquired): Vifor Pharma is the iron deficiency and nephrology business acquired by CSL in 2022 for $11.7B and now operates as CSL Vifor. While fully integrated, the underlying business remains comparable as a standalone entity prior to acquisition, focused on nephrology and iron deficiency treatments that complement CSL's plasma-derived therapy franchise.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/csl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CSLGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/CSLBiotechnology
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/csl
• Instagraminstagram.com/cslbiotechnology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments3 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CSL