CSL (ASX:CSL) has begun construction on a major expansion of its plasma therapy manufacturing facility in Kankakee, Illinois, marking a significant investment aimed at strengthening the global supply of life-saving medicines while creating new economic opportunities in the region.
The $1.5 billion project builds on more than $3 billion the global biopharmaceutical company has already invested in its United States operations since 2018 and is expected to create at least 300 new jobs alongside hundreds of construction roles.
The groundbreaking ceremony brought together company leadership and state officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who emphasised the importance of the expansion for both the life sciences sector and the regional economy. CSL leaders said the project reflects growing demand for plasma-derived therapies used to treat rare and serious medical conditions, as well as the company’s commitment to expanding its advanced manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
Once completed, the expanded facility is expected to be operational by 2031 and will incorporate CSL’s Horizon 2 manufacturing process, a patented technology designed to significantly increase the yield of immunoglobulin produced from the same amount of plasma. By improving efficiency in the production process, the company said it aims to strengthen its global supply network and help ensure that patients with chronic and life-threatening conditions have reliable access to essential treatments.
CSL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Gordon Naylor said the investment reflects the human impact behind the medicines produced at the site. Each plasma-derived therapy represents both a patient seeking stability in their life and the donors whose contributions make treatment possible. As demand for these therapies continues to grow worldwide, the expansion of the Kankakee facility will reinforce its role as a critical hub in the company’s manufacturing network.
The project will also introduce new technologies designed to enhance efficiency and increase protein yields from plasma collected through CSL’s donor network. According to CSL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mary Oates, the improved processes will strengthen the company’s ability to produce the plasma-based medicines needed by patients around the world.
State leaders described the expansion as a strong endorsement of Illinois’ position as a centre for life sciences manufacturing. Governor Pritzker noted that the project will generate high-quality jobs while strengthening domestic supply chains for critical therapies. Local officials echoed those sentiments, highlighting the positive economic impact the investment will have on communities in and around Kankakee County.
Patient advocacy groups also welcomed the development. Jorey Berry, president and chief executive officer of the Immune Deficiency Foundation, said reliable access to plasma-derived treatments is essential for people living with conditions such as primary immunodeficiency. Manufacturing these therapies is complex and time-consuming, she explained, making sustained investment in production capacity crucial for maintaining a consistent supply.
Plasma-derived therapies are created from proteins found in human plasma and are used to treat a range of rare and serious disorders, including hemophilia, hereditary angioedema, and immune deficiencies. They are also used in emergency medical situations such as trauma, severe burns, shock, and certain maternal health emergencies. Producing these medicines requires plasma donations from hundreds or even thousands of individuals for a single patient’s yearly treatment and involves a lengthy process of testing, protein separation, purification, and formulation.
CSL currently employs more than 1,200 full-time workers at the Kankakee site. The company says the expansion will add at least 300 permanent pharmaceutical manufacturing roles and around 800 construction and related jobs during the building phase. Since 2018, CSL has created more than 6,500 new positions across its U.S. operations, bringing its American workforce to nearly 19,000 people, roughly 60 per cent of the company’s global employees.