CSL Behring’s Project Aurora crowned 2025 ISPE FOYA Overall Winner

We are thrilled to announce that our client CSL Behring’s landmark facility project, Project Aurora, at Broadmeadows, Victoria, has been awarded the 2025 International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Facility of the Year (FOYA) – Overall Winner, following its earlier accolade as the Category Winner for Innovation.

A Milestone in Pharmaceutical Innovation 

Project Aurora not only expands CSL Behring’s site capacity to nine times its previous level processing more than 10 million litres of plasma per year, but also integrates cutting-edge automation, robotics and digitalisation across every phase of the operation. From advanced filtration technology and automated powder handling, to a full Manufacturing Execution System (MES), the facility embodies the next generation of Pharma 4.0™.

Highlights of the project include:

• A closed, dedicated powder-handling system eliminating operator exposure and cross-contamination

• Robotic processing of frozen plasma and waste-stream automation

• Integration of a digital twin, analytics and real-time data-driven operations resulting in 98 % right-first-time production and an 87 % reduction in batch review time

• A site-wide commitment to global product platform alignment for immunoglobulin, albumin and haemophilia therapies

These innovations underline CSL’s commitment to delivering life-changing therapies for patients worldwide and reinforce the position of the Broadmeadows campus as a world-class manufacturing hub.

The ISPE FOYA programme shines a spotlight on the most advanced pharmaceutical facilities globally, those that push the boundaries of technology, efficiency, product quality and project delivery. Established in 2005, the programme has become a benchmark for excellence in facility design, construction and operation.

By taking the overall FOYA award, Project Aurora now stands among the most distinguished pharmaceutical manufacturing projects on the planet.

Icon’s Proud Role – Grounded in History, Built for the Future

Since our formation and through our 20+ year partnership with CSL Behring, Icon has built a strong legacy in pharmaceutical & biopharma construction. Following the merger of Cockram Construction with Icon in 2019, we have continued to deliver highly regulated, technically demanding facilities worldwide.

We are honoured to have served as the Construction Manager/General Contractor on Project Aurora and to have worked alongside CSL Behring, the architect-engineer team (Wood PLC, ACOR Consulting, Billard Leece Partnership) and the full supply chain to achieve this global recognition.

Congratulations to all our Partners

A heartfelt congratulations to CSL Behring Australia, the project leadership team led and every partner and supplier who brought this facility to life. Your innovation, dedication and collaboration have delivered something truly exceptional, and we’re inspired to continue raising the bar for what is possible in pharmaceutical facility delivery. Here’s to building what matters most – together.

More about the project and award here: https://ispe.org/facility-year-awards/winners/2025/pharma-4