Singapore: After 23 years of being at the helm of CSL, Dr Brian McNamee will leave the firm in July 2013 and will be succeeded by Mr Paul Perreault, who is currently the president of CSL Behring.

When Dr McNamee took over in 1990, CSL was a domestically focused government enterprise. Now it is one of the world's largest global plasma therapeutics businesses. CSL's sold $34.8 million (A$33 million) of plasma therapies in 1991. In 2011 this had grown to $4 billion (A$3.8 billion).

Dr McNamee said his experience with CSL starting as CEO at only 33 years of age had been a remarkable opportunity. "Together we've built an exceptional business based on innovative R&D, operational excellence, consistent delivery and absolute commitment to patients. I am tremendously proud of the role CSL has played in providing life-saving medicines and our contribution to the development of new and better treatments. CSL is in great shape, has its strongest ever R&D pipeline and is well placed to continue a story of growth and success."

"On behalf of the board, I want to acknowledge Brian's remarkable leadership and want to thank him for dedicating to CSL his drive and vision over many years. I am confident he will continue to lead the company to another strong performance in 2012-13," professor John Shine, chairman, CSL, said.

Professor Shine said that he was pleased that Dr McNamee would continue to lead the organisation through until June 2013. "Brian will run the business as normal giving us the continued benefit of his leadership right up to the hand over mid next year," he said.

Prof Shine also said that both Brian and the board felt the time was right to pass the baton to the next leadership of the company and he wanted to acknowledge Brian's extraordinary contribution both to CSL and the local and international pharmaceutical industry.