CSL has agreed to buy Talecris Biotherapeutics of the US for US$3.1bn in cash, as the Australian pharmaceutical group seeks to consolidate its presence in the global plasma products market.

The purchase, which will require approval from US antitrust regulators, will be the largest healthcare acquisition by an Australian company, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, eclipsing Australia’s Primary Health Care’s purchase of rival Symbion this year for A$2.7bn (US$2.4bn).