Baxter Announces Collaboration with Sanquin to Expand Capacity for Plasma Therapies
DEERFIELD, Ill., Jul 19, 2012 -- Baxter International Inc. today announced that it has entered into a manufacturing services agreement with Stichting Sanquin Bloedvoorziening (Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation) in the Netherlands that will provide Baxter up to 1.6 million liters of incremental plasma fractionation capacity annually to support global growth of plasma-derived treatments.
Under the agreement, Baxter will pay Sanquin a fixed fee to fractionate plasma used for medications to treat immune disorders, hemophilia, trauma and other critical conditions. Sanquin will process plasma supplied by Baxter into bulk material for GAMMAGARD LIQUID 10% [Immune Globulin Infusion (Human)], (marketed as KIOVIG outside the United States and Canada), and FLEXBUMIN [Albumin (Human)]. Sanquin also will provide filling and finishing for IMMUNATE. The initial term of the agreement is 10 years, with production beginning in 2014 and Sanquin reaching the full 1.6 million liters annually by the end of 2016.
''As a worldwide leader in plasma-derived therapies, Baxter is committed to efforts that support the availability of our treatments for the patients who need them. Our collaboration with Sanquin is an important step in addressing both the near and long-term needs of the patient community,'' said Ludwig Hantson, Ph.D., president of Baxter's BioScience business.
Earlier this year, Baxter announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Georgia to support future growth of its plasma-based treatments. Construction will begin this year at the site near Covington, Ga. Commercial production is scheduled to begin in 2018, with the new plasma fractionation facility adding up to 3.0 million liters of new capacity annually when fully operational, with the flexibility and necessary infrastructure to expand further to support additional global market needs.
About Sanquin
Sanquin Blood Supply is a not-for-profit organization, responsible for the blood supply in the Netherlands. Sanquin plays an important role in transfusion medicine. The organization collects blood and plasma, produces labile blood products, develops and produces pharmaceutical products, conducts scientific research and develops and performs a multitude of diagnostic services. Sanquin employs approximately 3,000 workers in the Netherlands.
About Baxter's BioScience Business
Baxter is a scientific leader and innovator in plasma-derived therapies, with a focus on providing solutions to unmet patient needs. Its products include an immunoglobulin therapy (IG) for people living with primary immunodeficiency (PI), albumin therapies used to treat burns and maintain adequate fluid volume in critically ill patients, as well as blood protein therapies for people suffering from alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The company continues to investigate its treatments in additional areas of significant patient need.
Full prescribing information for GAMMAGARD LIQUID can be found at www.baxter.com/products/biopharmaceuticals/downloads/gamliquid_PI.pdf .
Full prescribing information for FLEXBUMIN can be found at: www.baxter.com/downloads/healthcare_professionals/products/Flexbumin_PI.pdf .
About Baxter International Inc.
Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, cancer, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.
This release includes forward-looking statements concerning a collaboration agreement between Baxter and Sanquin as well as Baxter's plans to build a manufacturing facility in Georgia. The statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements: fluctuations in supply and demand and the pricing of plasma-based therapies; continued strength in Baxter's financial position, including cash flows; actions of regulatory bodies and other governmental authorities; changes in laws and regulations; product quality or patient safety issues; and other risks identified in Baxter's most recent filing on Form 10-K and other SEC filings, all of which are available on Baxter's website. Baxter does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Baxter International Inc.
Baxter International Inc.
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