CSL Behring is a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapeutics industry. CSL Behring is involved in research, developing, manufacturing and marketing biotherapies that are used to treat serious and rare conditions.
Biotherapies are indicated for the treatment of serious and rare conditions. These conditions include coagulation (bleeding) disorders such as hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, immune deficiencies and genetic emphysema (inherited respiratory disease). Biotherapies are also used in critical care settings to treat shock, sepsis and severe burns, during cardiac surgery and for wound healing. In addition, biotherapies are used to prevent hemolytic disease in the newborn resulting from Rh factor incompatibilities.
Biotherapies differ from conventional chemical-derived pharmaceuticals in many ways. They are derived from human plasma, or produced as their recombinant equivalents, instead of from chemicals. These expensive source materials comprise a much higher portion of the therapy’s cost than the chemicals used in pills and tablets. Biotherapies also undergo rigorous safety controls and inspections throughout every step of the year-long manufacturing process, from the collection of plasma to the final packaging of the finished product.
While plasma therapeutics treat small patient populations, traditional pharmaceuticals may treat millions of patients worldwide. As a result, economies of scale in the plasma protein industry are much narrower than in the traditional pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the costs of production for plasma-derived medical therapies are typically around 70% of the selling price compared to only about 19% for chemical-based pharmaceuticals.
CSL Behring products are produced at facilities in Bern, Switzerland; Marburg, Germany; Kankakee, Illinois and Broadmeadows, Australia, in accordance with international safety and quality standards. The company also operates CSL Plasma, one of the world’s largest plasma collection networks throughout the United States and Germany. CSL Behring employs more than 9,000 people in 19 countries.