Plasma: A Therapeutic Trove
Plasma is the liquid component of human blood that acts as the body’s communication superhighway. A biological marvel, it transports essential elements that sustain healthy function, including blood cells, nutrients and, notably, proteins. Serving as the underlying supply chain to all organs, this unique life fluid is potentially the font of therapies for multiple diseases – and the key for enhanced quality of life.
Our constantly evolving and growing understanding of the universe of circulating plasma proteins, known as the plasma proteome, has led to critical scientific advances and therapies enabling patients with chronic plasma-protein deficiencies to enjoy healthier, longer and more productive lives. Grifols has continuously enhanced its treatments, including immunoglobulins for primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, albumin for blood expansion in emergency and surgical medicine, and alpha-1 antitrypsin, indicated in respiratory patients to treat alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, among many others. We ensure the highest standards are met throughout the entire plasma journey, from plasma collection to the delivery of therapies to patients.
Expanding Plasma’s Potential
Combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence, bioanalytics, and technology platforms such as those from our Alkahest subsidiary, we are mining deeper layers of plasma science to develop unique insights and potential transformative therapies.
We explore plasma at the furthest-known depths among healthy individuals over decades, as well as those with a variety of pathologies. This reveals remarkable patterns in the proteins that regulate vital functions in disease that we target for the development of lifesaving therapies.
Our Alkahest platform is also leading to the discovery of key plasma proteins – known as chronokines – that influence human biology over time. This exposes otherwise hidden biological pathways and provides important therapeutic clues to a wide variety of diseases1, including age-related conditions.
“Grifols continues to unlock the many therapeutic secrets hidden within plasma, enabling us to develop even more robust potential treatments for many diseases that greatly impact people’s quality of life.”
1 Johnson AA, Shokhirev MN, Lehallier B. The protein inputs of an ultra-predictive aging clock represent viable anti-aging drug targets. Ageing Res Rev. 2021;70:101404. doi:10.1016/j.arr.2021.101404
Developing Treatments
Patients are at the center of our far-ranging scientific research to develop therapeutic solutions to some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges.
Grifols innovation at work
Beyond Plasma
Grifols is increasingly diversifying its therapeutic approach with a portfolio of innovative non-plasma treatments such as a new class of recombinant protein candidates and small-molecule pharmaceuticals.
Extending our Innovative Reach
External investments, alliances and partnerships complement our in-house efforts and contribute to a powerful innovation ecosystem dedicated to treating patients.
Connecting Knowledge
Our global research centers are home to more than 1,200 investigators working on initiatives from early discovery to advanced clinical trials.