CSL Behring expands operations to Russia

Published: 9-Dec-2015

Moscow opening reinforces CSL Behring's promise to deliver therapies to patients with rare and serious diseases worldwide


Global biotherapeutics company CSL Behring has opened an operation in Russia to provide more patients with greater access to treatments for biotherapies and blood plasma products.

The King of Prussia, PA, US-based firm says annual usage of certain classes of these medicines in Russia is lower than in other regions. For example, consumption of immunoglobulins in the country per capita is 10 to 20 times lower than in the US and some European countries.

With operations in more 30 countries, CSL Behring develops protein-based therapies for the treatment of bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, inherited respiratory disease and hereditary angioedema, and for neurological disorders in certain markets. CSL Behring is a subsidiary of CSL Limited.

CSL CEO and Managing Director Paul Perreault said the new office will enable CSL Behring to partner more closely with the Russian Federation, healthcare providers, patient groups and the scientific community. The company currently has seven products registered in Russia.

CSL Behring will also investigate opportunities to contribute to the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, and identify the best ways to partner with the Russian government. As an example, because the amount of human plasma currently collected in Russia is insufficient to meet the growing demand for protein-based medicines, it may be possible to transfer CSL Behring's plasma collection technology to Russia, and initiate toll manufacturing in that country, added Perreault.

Over the last five years, CSL has invested more than US$2bn in R&D, employing more than 1,100 people in this area.

'We are fortunate to have a robust R&D pipeline, with many projects within each stage of development,' Perreault said at the opening of the Russian operation.

'Our world-class commercial operation, combined with our large and focused R&D team and operational excellence, enable us to quickly identify, develop and deliver innovations that patients and healthcare providers want. We are excited to expand the availability of our lifesaving therapies in Russia.'

According to Perreault, CSL has made significant advances in its recombinant factor development programme for the treatment of haemophilia.

'Once approved, our recombinant factor IX fusion protein for haemophilia B and our recombinant single-chain factor VIII for haemophilia A will provide patients with novel treatment options that have the potential to give patients extended dosing intervals,' he said.

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