The Boards of CSL Limited and Aventis S.A. announced plans for CSL to acquire Aventis Behring. CSL, based in Melbourne, Australia, specializes in the development, manufacture and marketing of biologically based health care products in Australia, Asia, USA and Europe.

The CSL Group, which had revenues of AUD1.3 billion in 2002/03 (US$920 million), includes ZLB Bioplasma, which produces and markets plasma therapeutic products for the European and US markets. Aventis Behring, currently part of the Aventis group, is a global plasma therapeutic products business and had sales of approximately US$1 billion in 2002.

This significant transaction continues CSL's strategy of building a global biopharmaceutical business with key areas of focus in plasma therapeutics, cell culture and vaccine, dedicated to sustaining and improving patients' lives. The combination of ZLB and Aventis Behring will result in a broad and complementary product portfolio with ZLB's excellent position in immunology and Aventis Behring's haemophilia franchise and specialty products.

Peter Turner, who currently leads the ZLB Bioplasma business, will be the president of the combined plasma business, which will be named ZLB Behring.

ZLB Behring will realise significant improvements in operational efficiency, particularly in plasma collection, infrastructure, high yield manufacturing processes and corporate administration. ZLB Behring will also benefit from integration of both businesses' R&D portfolios to better focus on life cycle management.

ZLB Behring will be able to deliver enhanced economic returns and improved growth potential in a highly competitive industrial environment. The transaction will ensure continued investment in the core business while delivering an ongoing commitment to patient services, quality and anticipated research and development efforts.

Approval from national competition authorities is required to finalise this transaction. Until approval, ZLB and Aventis Behring will continue as separate businesses and serve the needs of patients and customers as per current operations.