CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have gained 7% since the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) listed biotech share held its annual research and development (R&D) briefing on 19 October.
Below, we take a look at what's in that pipeline.
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What is the ASX 200 biotech company developing?
As the Motley Fool reported on the day, CSL invested more than US$1 billion (AU$1.35 billion) into R&D in the 2021 financial year. That money supported 6 therapeutic areas, 4 scientific platforms, and 2 businesses.
Breaking those down, the 6 therapeutic areas are:
- Immunology,
- Hematology,
- Respiratory,
- Cardiovascular and metabolic,
- Transplant, and
- Influenza
The 4 scientific platforms are:
- Plasma fractionation,
- Recombinant technology,
- Cell and gene therapy, and
- Vaccines
And the 2 businesses are:
- CSL Behring, and
- Seqirus
Among the highlights, CSL announced that its Seqirus business was awarded a contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). BARDA is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
The multi-year contract centres around CSL's adjuvanted, cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine (aQIVc) and next-generation self-amplifying mRNA for seasonal and pandemic influenza (sa-mRNA). CSL intends to develop 2 influenza A(H2Nx) vaccine candidates for assessment in a Phase 1 clinical study. The end goal is to help communities stay safe in the event of an influenza pandemic.
CSL also announced a new collaboration with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research in Australia to create a Centre for Biologic Therapies.
Commenting on that collaboration and what it means for CSL's development pipeline, CSL's Senior Vice President Andrew Nash said:
CSL's antibody library will be the engine room of biologics discovery at the Centre and, importantly, the knowledge transfer between the two organizations and the utilization of shared assets, resources, and facilities will be of great value.
This expansion of our relationship with WEHI will help ensure that the long-term investment of public funds into medical research in Australia is translated into both a benefit for patients and the Australian economy.
How have CSL shares been performing?
CSL shares have been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the past 12 months. It's a ride that has left them 3% in the green. By comparison, the ASX 200 has gained 17% over the same period.
Over the past month, CSL shares are up 8%.
