Grifols launches new home-care treatment service for patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in Spain

Barcelona, Spain, November 24, 2021 - Grifols (MCE:GRF, MCE:GRF.P, NASDAQ:GRFS), one of the world’s leading producers of plasma-derived medicines with a more than 110-year track record of contributing to the health and well-being of people around the world, today announced a new home-infusion treatment service for patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in Spain.

This new service aims to increase treatment access and the comfort of its administration within Grifols’ AlfaCare program. It offers an integrated, personalized program including training, emotional support and assistance to AATD patients through specialized professionals.

Grifols began AlfaCare in Spain three years ago, with the support of the Alpha-1 patient association in Spain. Since then it has demonstrated benefits in the promotion of self-care and the improvement in patients’ quality of life.

The program, which already offers training with respiratory physiotherapists and emotional support from psychologists, now incorporates administration of the intravenous treatment at home, which will eliminate travel time and waiting in hospitals. The first patients are already benefiting from the service and it is expected that others will enroll in the upcoming months.

AATD is a rare genetic disease defined by a deficiency or absence of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in the blood. It is the most common cause of severe pulmonary emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, in addition to being the most common cause of liver disease in children. AATD symptoms vary depending on the degree of severity and type of genetic mutation, as well as on external factors. It is estimated that AATD affects 3.4 million people around the world¹ and 14,500 in Spain².

“AlfaCare is part of Grifols’ commitment to improve quality of patients’ lives,” said Joana Sabat, vice president Global Marketing, Bioscience Division. “In collaboration with patient associations, we will improve the knowledge and diagnosis of diseases such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. It is critical to recognize its prevalence, and know how to diagnose it and treat it.”

Grifols’ commitment to caring for AATD patients through the educational support program and at-home therapy administration complements the company’s research activity in the field, which is focused on developing new early diagnosis tests and new approaches to treating the disease.

Grifols has similar support programs for patients with AATD in other countries such as Italy, Canada and the United States.

About AATD

AATD is a rare hereditary disease defined by a deficiency or absence of the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein in plasma. It is the most common cause of severe pulmonary emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults, as well as the most common cause of liver disease in children.

This illness is more prevalent than other rare lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. AATD symptoms vary depending on the degree of severity and type of genetic mutation, as well as external factors.

AATD affects some 3.4 million people around the world, although most do not know they have it. In Spain, it is estimated that about 14,500 people have the disease.

For more information about alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, please visit: www.alpha1.org.