Developments in the plasma collection process increase efficiency

Plasma donation helps save millions of lives each year. This clear, yellowish part of blood is used to make medicines that treat serious illnesses. Recently, three big improvements have changed how plasma is collected and used. These changes mean getting more plasma from each donor, making more medicine from each donation, and reducing the time it takes to donate.

Collecting more plasma with Fresenius Kabi's Adaptive Nomogram

When you donate plasma, a machine called a plasmapheresis device separates plasma from your blood. The plasma is collected, and the rest of your blood is returned to your body. How much plasma can be safely collected depends on your body size.

Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company, developed something called the Adaptive Nomogram. A nomogram is a mathematical device or model that shows relationships between things. They are used in a variety of different industries, such as in calculating the right dose of chemotherapy by taking a nomogram of height and weight, and calculating the surface area of a person. In this new application, the amount of plasma the plasmapheresis machine collects is adjusted based on each donor's weight and height. Before this, collection centers used simpler methods that didn't take into account a person's unique body measurements.

The Adaptive Nomogram is innovative because it:

• Personalizes the donation amount for each donor.
• Collects the maximum safe amount of plasma.
• Keeps donors safe and comfortable.
• Increases the total plasma collected at donation centers.

For example, a taller, heavier donor can safely give more plasma than a smaller donor. The Adaptive Nomogram calculates the exact right amount for each person. This means centers can collect up to 15% more plasma from eligible donors.

Faster donations with the Rika Plasma Donation System

Donating plasma takes time, usually between one to two hours. This long process can discourage people from donating regularly. CSL Plasma has created new plasmapheresis technology called the Rika Plasma Donation System that significantly reduces donation time.

Their innovative system:

• Uses advanced flow technology to process blood faster.
• Features improved separation filters that work more quickly.
• Has a streamlined setup that reduces preparation time.
• Cuts the average donation time by up to 30%.

This means a donation that once took 90 minutes might now take only 60 minutes. The faster process is just as safe but much more convenient for donors. When donors spend less time in the chair, donation centers can help more people each day, and donors are more likely to return regularly.

Making more medicine with ADMA's plasma yield enhancement

After plasma is collected, it goes to special factories where it's turned into medicines. ADMA Biologics, a company that makes immunoglobulin (Ig) products, developed a new plasma yield enhancement production process. 

This new process:

• Gets more useful proteins out of each plasma donation.
• Wastes less of the valuable proteins during processing.
• Creates more medicine from the same amount of plasma.
• Helps meet the growing demand for plasma-based medicines.

In the past, some of the important proteins in plasma were lost during the manufacturing process. Harsh conditions of the manufacturing process, including heating and adding solvents for viral inactivation, can stress and alter the protein structure and damage some proteins, especially those that are temperature sensitive. ADMA's new method captures more of these proteins, increasing the yield by about 20%. This means that from the same amount of donated plasma, companies can make more medicine for patients who need it.

Why these improvements matter

These three developments are important for several reasons. With more plasma collected and more medicine derived from each donation, healthcare systems can extend life-saving treatments to a greater number of patients. It's worth noting that plasma-based medicines treat numerous serious conditions, including immune deficiencies, hemophilia, and other rare chronic conditions, while also supporting surgical procedures, burn victim treatment, and management of certain infectious diseases. These methods promote more efficient use of the limited plasma supply, helping conserve valuable resources. Potential medication shortages could be decreased through these improvements. 

Donors' time is also used more effectively as they contribute the maximum safe amount appropriate for their body size, making each donation visit more impactful. Additionally, the faster donation times make plasma donation more accessible to people with busy schedules. These new technologies show how science keeps finding ways to improve healthcare. For people who donate plasma, it's good to know that your donation is being used as efficiently as possible to help others. And for patients who need these medicines, these improvements mean better chances of getting the treatments they need.