CSL Behring, a specialty biotherapeutics company, has opened a new AU $230-million (US $173-million) manufacturing facility at its site in Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia for producing albumin, a protein derived from human plasma that is used in critical care to treat burns and shock.

The facility is expected to produce therapies with an estimated annual market value of $850 million as well as generate up to 200 new jobs by 2026, according to the company.

The plant will be constructed over two modules, with this opening marking the completion of the first module. The module will expand albumin production on the site to 100 metric tons per annum. When it comes on line, the second module is expected to add a further 100 metric tons in capacity.

When fully operational, the facility will export product to the US and Europe while also producing commercial product for the local Australian and Asia-Pacific markets.

The Broadmeadows site has played a role in CSL’s expansion strategy with over $610 million invested into the site in the past five years. The company opened a biotechnology manufacturing facility at the site in May 2014 for the large-scale manufacture of recombinant therapies for international clinical trials, and in December 2015, the company opened the Turner Facility for manufacturing a therapy to treat immune disorders.

Source: CSL Behring