CSL Behring is opening operations in Russia to fulfill certain unmet needs for biotherapies and blood plasma products. CSL Behring is also investigating opportunities to contribute to the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, and identify the best ways to partner with the Russian government. 
 
According to the company, the annual usage of certain classes of these medicines in Russia is much lower than it should be, with consumption of immunoglobulins in Russia 10 to 20 times lower than in the U.S. and some European countries.
 
CSL Behring has operations in more than 30 countries and focuses on developing protein-based therapies for the treatment of bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, inherited respiratory disease and hereditary angioedema, and for neurological disorders.
 
CSL chief executive officer and managing director Paul Perreault said the new office enables 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. He added that it will now be easier to launch products in Russia and offer new therapy options to doctors and their patients.
 
Because the amount of human plasma that is currently collected in Russia is insufficient to meet the growing demand for protein-based medicines, Mr. Perreault said it may be possible to transfer CSL’s plasma collection technology to Russia, and initiate toll manufacturing in that country.
 
Over the last five years, CSL has invested more than $2 billion in R&D, employing more than 1,100 R&D experts.