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Plasma-derived Therapies

Plasma-derived Therapies are Unique

The use of biological source starting material, human plasma, for the production of plasma-derived therapies is one key factor stimulating innovation. Plasma-derived therapies are biologics extracted and purified from human plasma.

Plasma is the protein-rich liquid portion of the blood that remains after the removal of red blood cells, leukocytes and platelets and is the most abundant blood component. It is obtained from committed, healthy donors who donate their plasma in U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency-licensed and industry-certified source plasma collection centers.

Plasma obtained specifically from plasma donors is collected through a procedure called "Plasmapheresis." A donor's blood is drawn through a needle in the arm into a highly-specialized piece of medical equipment that separates red blood cells and other cellular components from the plasma, and then returns them to the donor. This type of plasma is called "source plasma." Plasma that is collected from whole blood donations made at blood banks, hospitals and other blood centers currently is called "recovered plasma."

Manufacturing Therapies Is Complex

Plasma fractionation is the process in which specific proteins are isolated from human plasma and then used to manufacture various therapies. Different purification methods have been developed based on the individual physico-chemical properties of the protein classes. Following fractionation, the finished therapies are packaged for distribution. Each lot of manufactured therapies is reviewed before being approved for release.

To learn more about plasma and plasma donation, please visit our FAQs. Visit Diseases and Treatments to learn more about plasma-derived therapies and the diseases they treat.