Areas of activity

Processes

The plasma protein manufacturing value chain comprises the following key steps:

Plasma collection

The base material for plasma proteins is human blood plasma. Biotest collects the majority of the plasma it needs for its own production via plasmapheresis in proprietary donation centres. In this process, plasma is separated from donated blood, and the remaining components of the blood are returned to the donor’s blood circulation. This enables a donor to give plasma up to twice weekly.

To ensure the highest possible safety, the plasma used is taken exclusively from qualified donors, i.e. donors whose health is continuously monitored. Before processing, donated plasma is tested multiple times for possible contamination with viruses or other contaminants, using the very latest testing technology.

Fractionation / manufacturing

Various steps are applied during manufacturing to separate the blood plasma into its individual components, which are then further processed to clotting factors, immunoglobulins or other medications (e.g. albumin) and bottled in sterile packaging. All this takes place in modern facilities in Dreieich, Germany.

Development

Biotest develops new drugs in the three therapeutic areas of clinical immunology, haematology and intensive care medicine. The company also works to further develop already authorised drugs.

Expertise in pre-clinical and clinical research, development, manufacture of testing agents, analytics, marketing authorisation of pharmaceuticals and drug safety is bundled in various specialised departments. Specialists from the various areas collaborate in interdisciplinary teams for each individual development project.

This is described in more detail under “Research and development”.