Grifols and the Egyptian government are establishing the first African plasma factory in Cairo. Grifols is a global healthcare company, established in Barcelona in 1909. The company works toward easing health care hardship by combining expertise, technology, and resources. It works in different areas, including bioscience, diagnostic, hospital, and bio supplies; develops, manufactures, and markets innovative solutions and services in more than 100 countries.
The project “”Grifols Egypt for Plasma Derivatives”” is a joint venture between Grifols and the National Service Projects Organization (NSPO). The plasma factory project is the first international public-private alliance between the plasma industry and governmental facilities. The project aims to strengthen Egypt’s healthcare system by achieving self-sufficiency in plasma-derived medicines. The project’s scope stretches to the establishment of all necessary manufacturing facilities and the opening of 20 plasma donation centers to produce vital medications. It also includes a protein purification plant, a plasma fractionation plant, and testing and storage facilities. The plasma fractionation plant currently in the establishment has a 1 million liter annual capacity but is anticipated to increase to 2 million liters in the future.
The human body requires plasma for effective functioning. Plasma is the liquid component of blood that is necessary for human survival. It is transparent with a golden tint and makes up 55% of the blood’s total volume. It contains essential proteins in charge of vital bodily processes like blood clotting and immune system maintenance. Plasma helps the human body to heal from injury, distribute nutrients, and prevent infection. The project works on plasma derivatives, which are products made from human plasma using chromatographic and other fractionation techniques. Egypt imports plasma derivatives worth billions of dollars because they are critical and save patients’ lives. This is a new path that will reduce the country’s reliance on imports while also aiding Africa and the Middle East.
