CSL Behring, a global leader in the plasma-protein biotherapeutics industry, is calling for grant requests through its Local Empowerment for Advocacy Development (LEAD) program. The LEAD program awards funds to United States patient organizations that assist people with rare diseases in advocating for continued access to health care and life-saving plasma protein therapies.

To date, the LEAD program has awarded more than $150,000 to 12 patient organizations for their use in funding grassroots advocacy initiatives that mobilize patient populations to advance state standards of care legislation and improve access to health insurance.

“CSL Behring is proud to support qualified patient organizations in their advocacy initiatives,” said Dennis Jackman, Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs. “LEAD grants supplement existing financial resources to help patient organizations address complex legislative and public policy issues.”

To qualify for a LEAD grant, a patient organization must:

• Be a non-profit with 501(c)(3) tax status;
• Represent people who use plasma protein therapies to treat coagulation disorders, immune deficiencies, genetic emphysema or other conditions; and
• Demonstrate that financial assistance will help the group or organizations advance important local or state advocacy initiatives.

The deadline for submitting applications to the LEAD Program is April 30, 2009. Applications, specific criteria for applying, and additional information about the LEAD program are available on the CSL Behring Web site at www.cslbehring.com/leadgrants.

About CSL Behring
CSL Behring is a leader in the plasma protein therapeutics industry. Committed to saving lives and improving the quality of life for people with rare and serious diseases, the company manufactures and markets a range of plasma-derived and recombinant therapies worldwide.

CSL Behring therapies are indicated for the treatment of coagulation disorders including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, primary immune deficiencies and inherited respiratory disease. The company’s products are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic diseases in newborns.

CSL Behring operates one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks, ZLB Plasma. CSL Behring is a subsidiary of CSL Limited, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. For more information, visit www.cslbehring.com.

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Contact:
Christine Kuhinka
610-878-4387
Christine.Kuhinka@cslbehring.com