CSL Behring announced a multi-year, $450 million two-site global capacity expansion. This expansion strengthens CSL Behring’s global manufacturing capabilities with production capacity increases of albumin at its Broadmeadows facility in Melbourne, Australia and plasma intermediates at its Kankakee site in Illinois, U.S. The company says the cross-functionality that is enabled by the capacity expansions will allow it to leverage its global manufacturing network, helping to optimize the manufacturing efficiencies of immunoglobulin and albumin. Of the $450 million investment, $240 million will be for Kankakee and $210 million for Broadmeadows.

“As a global science-based company with decades of experience and insight, we are uniquely positioned to serve patients with rare and serious diseases. Providing innovative treatments to save and extend lives is an important part of our patient care, including ensuring we have the capabilities and capacity to meet patients’ growing needs. Our latest production expansion means the critical base material for our leading therapies will continue to be available – enabling us to deliver on our promise to patients around the world,” said chief executive officer Paul Perreault.

At Broadmeadows, the new facility will become an integral part of CSL Behring’s global supply chain and expand its albumin manufacturing capacity. Albumin is a plasma expander that quickly makes up for blood loss in accident victims, and that is also used to treat burn patients. About 200 jobs will be created during construction in Broadmeadows, and 190 manufacturing jobs will be in place when the new facility is fully operational. The new facility will comprise two manufacturing modules. Construction of the first module will begin in the next several weeks and will take about four years to complete. Broadmeadows currently has 650 employees.

At Kankakee, the expansion will increase the production of plasma intermediates. CSL Behring uses plasma intermediates to make albumin and also immunoglobulins. The expansion is expected to be complete in 2017, at which time 300,000 square feet will have been added to the site.