CSL Behring expands operations to Russia

Biotherapeutics company CSL Behring says it is expanding its geographic reach by opening operations in Russia. This is particularly significant in Russia where the health care system has some unmet needs for state-of-the-art biotherapies and blood plasma products, the company said.

The annual usage of certain classes of these medicines in Russia is much lower than it should be. For example, consumption of immunoglobulins in Russia per capita is 10 to 20 times lower than in the USA and some European countries, according to CSL Behring, a subsidiary of Australian blood plasma and vaccines company CSL Limited (ASX: CSL).

CSL chief executive and managing director Paul Perreault, who joined Russian health care leaders and patient advocates at the office opening today, said the new office enables CSL Behring to partner more closely with the Russian Federation, health care providers, patient groups and the scientific community. He noted that CSL Behring will be closer to patients, listen to them more carefully, and better understand their medical needs. The company currently has seven products registered in Russia.