CSL Limited – CSL Shares Company Profile

CSL is one of the world’s two biggest plasma therapeutics companies, only pharmaceutical industry giant Baxter runs a larger plasma operation. CSL enjoys global franchises in both coagulation and immunology as a result of its plasma operations; it also is a minor player in pharmaceuticals and has a modest, semi – early – stage R&D portfolio.

Formerly government owned CSL was established in 1916 to provide the Australian market with pharmaceutical services and vaccines. CSL was one of only four laboratories world-wide licensed to manufacture insulin in 1923, in 1952 CSL commenced plasma fractionation in Australia. CSL acquired ZLB from the Swiss Red Cross in 2000, making it a global plasma market player. In 2004, CSL effectively doubled in size by acquiring Aventis Behring.

Currently, CSL is a major global player in the plasma industry, with scale operations and access to lucrative markets in both the U.S. and Europe. With experienced management, CSL is commercially focused and generally well regarded by the market. Due to the fact that the plasma business is about as close to recession-resistant as you can get, CSL is a good defensive stock to own in times of market turmoil.

CSL’s biggest customers include US and European hospitals, while its main competitors include Baxter and Talecris in the U.S.. Talecris acquired Bayer’s plasma operations and is the 3rd largest plasma company in the U.S. In May of 2009, CSL was blocked from acquiring Talecris on grounds of antitrust violations. Other smaller competitors include regional players Octapharma and Griffols, while J&J’s Israeli subsidiary Omrix and Germany’s Biotest both have IVIG products in phase 3 US trials which are likely to enter the US market in 2010.

General CSL company information:

Company Name: CSL Limited
Stock Code: CSL
Website: www.csl.com.au
Market Cap ($M): 19,557
Equiv. Shares (M): 555

Market Stats.:

% of Market: 1.8200
% of Sector: 39.2583
Sector: Health Care
Industry Group: Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
Industry: Biotechnology