CSL Plasma Introduces Advanced RIKA Plasma Donation System to Enhance Donor Experience in Houston, Texas

BOCA RATON, Florida – October 9, 2024 – CSL Plasma, a leader in plasma collection that creates life-saving medicines, has introduced its Rika Plasma Donation SystemTM to the seven plasma centers in the Houston, Texas area. This cutting-edge technology reflects CSL Plasma’s continued commitment to providing an efficient, best-in-class experience for donors.

The Rika Plasma Donation System, only available at CSL Plasma and developed by Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, completes an average plasma collection in around 35 minutes, which is on average 15 minutes quicker than donations on other plasmapheresis machines. At the same time, the system ensures there is no more than 200 milliliters of blood outside the donor’s body at one time, helping improve comfort and safety during the donation process.

“Every day, our donors ‘Do the Amazing’ by donating plasma to help those who are in crucial need for therapies made from plasma,” said Steve Marlow, General Manager and Senior Vice President, CSL Plasma. “Without plasma donors, we are unable to produce these products that provide a better quality of life for individuals who need them. We are constantly working to provide the latest technology for our donors to provide them with a rewarding donor experience, and we are excited to continue to roll out this technology in more communities across the United States.”

As part of International Plasma Awareness Week (October 7-13), CSL Plasma is excited to expand availability of the Rika Plasma Donation System to additional locations across the country. Nearly half of all U.S.- and Puerto Rico-based CSL Plasma centers are currently on the Rika system. This initiative underscores CSL Plasma’s ongoing dedication to enhancing the donor experience and demonstrates the company’s leadership in innovation within the field.

“With the Rika Plasma Donation System, donation times are quicker, allowing us to process donors in a more timely fashion,” said Theresa Rogers, a CSL Plasma donor and employee working in Medical Operations at one of the centers located in the Houston area. “The donor experience is improved with Rika, and as an employee who is also a donor, I enjoy that! It is great to see the returning and new donors who value having a quicker donation experience.”

To donate at a CSL Plasma collection center, donors must be in good health, between the ages of 18 and 65, weigh at least 110 pounds, have no new tattoos or piercings within the last four months, meet eligibility and screening requirements, and have valid identification and a permanent address. Learn more about donating plasma and CSL Plasma Careers at cslplasma.com.

About Plasma
Plasma, the liquid component of blood, is rich in proteins, antibodies, clotting factors and essential nutrients. These components play a critical role in treating a variety of medical conditions, including trauma, shock, burns and other emergencies. Plasma-derived therapies are particularly valuable in addressing complex health needs, such as those of women and young mothers during pregnancy and delivery. These therapies can also provide life-saving treatments for a range of chronic and rare conditions, including immune deficiencies, hemophilia, and other bleeding and neurological disorders.

About CSL Plasma
CSL Plasma operates one of the world’s largest and most sophisticated plasma collection networks, with approximately 350 plasma collection centers in the U.S. and Europe. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, CSL Plasma is a subsidiary of CSL Behring, a global biotherapeutics business and a member of CSL.

Plasma collected at CSL Plasma facilities is used by CSL Behring for the sole purpose of manufacturing lifesaving plasma-derived therapies for people in more than 100 countries. This includes people who rely on plasma-derived therapies that treat diseases such as primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, hemophilia and other bleeding and neurological disorders. The parent company, CSL (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, employs 32,000 people. For more information about CSL Plasma visit, cslplasma.com.

 

Media Contact
Nate Wardle
Director of Communications, CSL Plasma
nate.wardle@cslplasma.com