Europe’s plasma challenge: how Grifols contributes to advancing plasma self-sufficiency

Millions of people worldwide rely on plasma-derived medicines to treat immune deficiencies, rare neurological conditions, bleeding disorders and other serious illnesses. Unlike many medicines, they cannot be produced synthetically: the essential raw material, plasma, is the liquid component of human blood. Without enough donors, there is not enough plasma to make these medicines.

Turning a blood donation into a finished medicine is a lengthy, complex process that can take months. The plasma is tested and separated into its components before medicines can be manufactured, checked and finally distributed.

From a small laboratory to an international manufacturer

Grifols was founded in Barcelona in 1909 and has spent more than a century working in transfusion medicine and plasma-derived therapies. In 1928, Josep Antoni Grifols i Roig performed one of Spain’s first indirect blood transfusions. Over the following decades, the company developed new plasma-collection techniques and invested in research and manufacturing. 

Today, Grifols is one of the largest producers of plasma-derived medicines worldwide, with close to a 30 percent market share and more than 400 donation centers, supplying essential medicines to patients in more than 110 countries. The company has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years, becoming strategically important to key countries worldwide thanks to its production capacity and international network of centers.

From donor to medicine

Grifols has an integrated value chain that spans plasma collection and testing through its processing and transformation into plasma-derived medicines, alongside the research and development of new therapies. This gives the company greater control over quality, capacity, and supply at every stage.

Europe's reliance on plasma imports carries risks: changes to regulations in major supplier countries or disruption to international supply chains could interrupt supplies. How can Europe reduce this dependence?  Pascual highlights the importance of diversifying plasma sources and moving towards greater self-sufficiency. 

Strengthening the supply of essential plasma-derived medicines requires diversification of plasma sources, a reliable supply chain, sufficient manufacturing capacity and long-term investment.

For a company supplying essential medicines to patients in more than 110  countries, financing investment is only part of the challenge. It must also navigate different currencies, laws and regulations.

Research and development take years, and manufacturing facilities require substantial capital investment. Deutsche Bank has worked with Grifols since the early 1990s. Over that time, it has supported the company by providing capital and helping it manage its international business. 

We support Grifols with access to global capital markets and banking solutions that help it operate and grow sustainably in a changing international environment.Javier Espurz, Head of Corporate Bank, Deutsche Bank Spain

For a company supplying essential medicines to patients in more than 110  countries, financing investment is only part of the challenge. It must also navigate different currencies, laws and regulations.

A more resilient  future

Grifols’ story thus points to a broader challenge for Europe. World-class research alone is not enough to secure the supply of essential medicines. Innovations need to be able to be manufactured on an industrial scale. Building a more resilient supply therefore requires action on several fronts.

The question is not just which new therapies Europe can develop. It is also whether the continent can create the conditions to manufacture them itself over the long term. Europe needs more companies that can turn specialist expertise into businesses of global scale, and long-term partners to support that journey.