CSL Delivers $2.9 Billion Profit, 110 Million Flu Vaccine Doses

Staff at CSL are seen working in the lab in Melbourne, Australia on Nov. 8, 2020. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Australian biotech giant CSL delivered a multi-billion dollar profit in the 2024 financial year and a major boost in revenue.

The plasma collection, therapeutic, and vaccine company reported an underlying net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) of US$2.91 billion (A$4.4 billion) for the 12 months ended June 30, up 11 percent (pdf).

CSL’s revenue also soared 11 percent to US$14.8 billion. CSL reported a total full year dividend of US$2.64 per share, up 12 percent on 2023.

The global biotechnology company employs more than 32,000 people and delivers products to 100 nations around the world.

It is divided into three major divisions—CSL Behring which delivers biotherapies and plasma collection, CSL Seqirus which develops vaccines, and CSL Vifor which focusses on iron deficiency therapies.

Chief Executive Officer Paul McKenzie said he was pleased to report a strong result for the 2024 financial year led by the CSL Behring section of the company.

“Our largest franchise, the immunoglobulins portfolio, delivered exceptional growth driven by significant patient demand and the recovery in CSL Behring’s gross margin is progressing to plan,” he said. 

“CSL Seqirus outperformed the market in a challenging environment driven by the adjuvanted influenza vaccine FLUAD.

“CSL Vifor continues to grow iron volume in Europe despite generic entrants and we remain confident in our plan to drive long-term value from this business.”

McKenzie said the company remains confident in its double-digit earnings growth target over the medium-term.

CSL Makes Progress On mRNA Vaccine Technology

In the 2024 financial year, CSL delivered 110 million influenza doses and operated 349 plasma collection centres in China, Europe, and North America. Another highlight was achieving record levels of plasma collections.

CSL noted delivering “new and better vaccines” is a strategic priority for the company with a focus of broadening its scope beyond influenza with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

The company also highlighted that it had made inroads on the vaccine technology, with approval in Japan for a self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine).

“Progress made with mRNA vaccine technology marking an historic achievement and a significant milestone for our partnership with Arcturus Therapeutics, Japan’s MHLW approved KOSTAIVE, the world’s first sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for initial vaccination and booster for adults 18 years and older,” the company said in its annual report (pdf).

CSL said the global influenza vaccine market is competitive, highlighting that embracing technology is important.

“With respect to continued growth and innovation in the competitive global influenza vaccine market, CSL recognises the need to continue leading in the development and manufacture of influenza vaccines including cellculture technology and investigating the use of sa-mRNA technology for the development of both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.”

In the short-term, the company believes the “exciting acceleration” of new vaccine technologies will continue.

CSL also observed a reduction in immunisation rates following the pandemic. However, against this backdrop, the company expects its unique vaccine portfolio to deliver ongoing value to public health systems.

“Seasonal influenza remains one of the most consequential vaccine preventable diseases due to its significant morbidity and mortality, with unmet need across all populations, and with particular risk to the very young, as a result of immature immune systems, and in older adults where immune systems start to wane over time,” CSL said.

“CSL Seqirus’ current efforts are focused on finalising clinical work and regulatory submissions in major markets around the world, enabling commercial launches over the next one to three years.”

Revenue in the CSL Sequirus vaccine business was US$2.1 billion, up 4 percent driven by the adjuvanted influenza vaccine.

What Else Happened During the Financial Year?

Immunoglobin (Ig) product sales reached nearly US$5.67 billion, up 20 percent with impressive growth across all geographies.

“Underlying demand for Ig continues to be strong due to significant patient needs in core indications—namely Primary Immune Deficiency, Secondary Immune Deficiency, and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP),” the company said.

Momentum in plasma collections continued during the financial year and the cost per litre including donor compensation and labour fell further.

“Significant progress has been made on digital transformation with an enhanced focus on plasma centre efficiencies,” the company said.

Volume of iron in Europe continued to grow within the CSL Vifor business, with multiple products launched across the globe.

The company spent US$1.428 billion on research and development, 12 percent higher than the prior corresponding period.

Despite the positive results, the company’s share price slid 4.58 percent on the market to close at $294.78 per share on Aug. 13.

The company reported an anticipated revenue growth of 5 to 7 percent in the 2025 financial year. Further, CSL expects a NPATA of between US$3.2 billion and US$3.3 billion at constant currency, representing growth of 10 to 13 percent.

This guidance was slightly below market expectations, which may explain the share price fall.