Csl Reaffirms Commitment To Talecris Acquisition

For immediate release
28 May 2009

CSL reaffirms commitment to Talecris Acquisition
Intends to contest US FTC's opposition


Melbourne, Australia (28 May 2009) - CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) today was informed
that the US Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") will file a complaint in the US
Federal District Court to challenge CSL's proposed acquisition of Talecris
Biotherapeutics.

Dr. Brian McNamee, CEO and Managing Director of CSL Limited, said, "We
strongly disagree with the FTC's decision to challenge the deal. CSL intends to
vigorously oppose the FTC's actions. The FTC has failed to recognize that this
combination is pro-competitive, provides significant efficiencies that will improve
the supply of biotherapies, and is beneficial to the patient community. The
Commission failed to take into account the substantial remedies that were offered
by CSL which addressed their concerns especially in relation to plasma supply,
Alpha-1 and RhoD."

Dr McNamee went on to say, "I'm particularly surprised and disappointed with the
Commission's theory that there is any coordination in the Plasma industry. This
sector is intensely competitive with manufacturers rapidly expanding."

"A combined company will have the ability to more quickly and efficiently meet the
expected continuing demand for plasma therapies that are critical to patients
suffering from bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, CIDP, genetic emphysema,
and other rare diseases."

"The merger would result in an improved ability for CSL to supply therapies to
patients and customers through expanded and integrated manufacturing with
greater efficiency and fewer bottlenecks. An integrated R&D platform would also
result in innovative products reaching the marketplace sooner."

"These significant benefits have been understood by a number of patient groups
and customers who have expressed their support for this transaction."










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CSL disagrees with the FTC's view of the competitive landscape. The plasma
therapies market is robust. Four strong manufacturers will remain after the
transaction, two companies are committed to launching new products in the near
future and a number of substantial international manufacturers have announced
plans to enter the U.S. market.

The Commission also alleges that there would be an increase in the likelihood of
coordination in the market. The dynamics of the plasma therapeutics market render
coordination all but impossible and expansion by current competitors and new US
entrants negates such concern.

Dr McNamee concluded, "CSL strongly disagrees with the Commission's position
that consolidation over the last 19 years has limited supply and driven prices higher.
We believe the reverse is true and in fact consumers have benefited by increased
output, innovation and lower prices than would otherwise have been the case."

About the deal

On August 12, 2008 CSL Limited and Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. entered into an
agreement under which CSL agreed to acquire Talecris for US$3.1 billion in
cash. The transaction required regulatory approvals including, among others,
approval by US anti-trust authorities.

About CSL

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with major facilities in Germany,
Switzerland and the U.S., CSL has more than 10,000 employees working in 27
countries. The CSL Group has a combined heritage of outstanding contribution to
medicine and human health with more than 90 years experience in the development
and manufacture of vaccines and plasma protein biotherapies. In fiscal 2008, the
company produced revenues of approximately A$3.8 billion.

About Talecris

Talecris Biotherapeutics, with revenues of approximately US$1.4 billion in 2008 and
headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina is a global biotherapeutic







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and biotechnology company that discovers, develops and produces critical care
treatments for people with life-threatening disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas
including immunology, neurology, pulmonology, and hemostasis.





Media Contacts:
Australia
Dr Rachel David Tim Duncan
Director, Public Affairs Hinton & Associates
Ph 61 3 9389 1821 Telephone: +61 (3) 9600-1979
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

United States
Stan Neve & Robin Gilliland
Brunswick Group
+1-212-333-3810
Email: [email protected]

Investor Contact:
Mark Dehring
Head of Investor Relations
CSL Limited Telephone: +613 9389 2818
Email: [email protected]