CSL Limited Publishes First Corporate Responsibility Report

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Mar 29, 2010, 08:00 ET

MELBOURNE, Australia, March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), Australia's leading biopharmaceutical company, has released its first Corporate Responsibility Report, combining information about the Company's economic, social and environmental performance for 2009.

"CSL has experienced significant growth over the past 10 years, which has been underpinned by our commitment to conducting our business ethically and actively contributing to the well-being of our communities," said Dr. Brian McNamee, CEO and Managing Director of CSL Limited. "Our first Corporate Responsibility Report is an important demonstration of this ongoing commitment."

The report details CSL's approach to and performance in key areas of corporate responsibility. These include the Company's research into new medicines, its ongoing success in ensuring the safety and quality of its broad portfolio of therapies, providing a positive and healthy work environment for CSL employees, behaving responsibly in the global marketplace, and providing charitable support for communities in need around the world, while minimising the environmental impacts of its operations.

Highlights and statistics from some of these key areas include:

The launch of the Company's Code of Responsible Business Practice, setting out the standards of conduct expected of CSL employees and business partners
Continued investment totaling A$312 million in the research and development of protein-based medicines for the prevention and treatment of rare and serious human illnesses
A 26 percent increase in economic value distributed to the communities in which CSL operates, supported by 10 percent growth in the Company's workforce
Reduction of the Company's net water consumption by six percent at its manufacturing sites and the continued improvement of environmental intensity rates
The contribution of nearly US$10 million to patient organisations in the Company's therapeutic areas and the announcement of new support for access programs in developing countries

"As a global company, CSL recognises its role in responding to humanitarian emergencies around the world, from pandemics to earthquakes," said Dr. McNamee.

"Our support programs in developing countries help address pressing healthcare issues in our areas of expertise."

In 2009, CSL announced a US$3 million partnership with the World Federation of Hemophilia and pledged 3 million doses of pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccine to the World Health Organization. CSL also commissioned a study of antivenom access in Papua New Guinea and invested in new programs to help foster the next generation of medical researchers.

About CSL

The CSL Group has a combined heritage of outstanding contribution to medicine and human health with more than 90 years experience in the development and manufacture of vaccines and plasma protein biotherapies.

With major facilities in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and the US, CSL has more than 11,000 employees working in 27 countries.

For more information about CSL Limited and its 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report, visit www.csl.com.au.