What are plasma protein and related products
Overview of products
Plasma is an important part of blood. There are many different kinds of proteins found in plasma. Today, more than 20 of these proteins can be purified and prepared for use as a plasma protein product that is tailor-made for patients with specific needs.
An ever-increasing number of plasma protein and related products are being developed. Currently, there are three main categories used in patient care:
- Immunoglobulin: helps patients living with primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune disorders and neurological disorders, among other medical conditions.
- Albumin: helps patients with liver disease, and patients being treated for shock and serious burns among other medical conditions.
- Coagulation factors: helps patients living with congenital bleeding disorders, like hemophilia A and B and von Willebrand’s disease.
Plasma protein products are made in six key steps
From start to finish, making plasma protein products is a rigorous multi-stepped process that can take upwards of nine months from the time plasma is collected from a donor. Learn more about the process step by step.
1
Collect
Plasma is collected from donors either by whole blood or plasma donation. All donors must meet Canada’s blood and plasma donor eligibility criteria.
Plasma is collected from donors either by whole blood or plasma donation. All donors must meet Canada’s blood and plasma donor eligibility criteria.
2
Test
Plasma is blood typed and tested for infectious agents, like HIV and hepatitis C. This ensures plasma donations used to help patients meet the highest safety and quality standards.
Plasma is blood typed and tested for infectious agents, like HIV and hepatitis C. This ensures plasma donations used to help patients meet the highest safety and quality standards.
3
Combine
Donations from thousands of plasma donors are pooled together in large holding tanks for processing.
Donations from thousands of plasma donors are pooled together in large holding tanks for processing.
4
Extract
Plasma is separated into different fractions and individual proteins, like immunoglobulin, and the proteins are removed. Each protein is the special ingredient needed to make one type of plasma protein product.
Plasma is separated into different fractions and individual proteins, like immunoglobulin, and the proteins are removed. Each protein is the special ingredient needed to make one type of plasma protein product.
5
Purify and retest
Proteins are cleaned using light, heat, filtration and chemical treatments, as added safety measures. Then they are retested for infectious agents to ensure proteins are purified and will not cause infection, so that patients are protected.
Proteins are cleaned using light, heat, filtration and chemical treatments, as added safety measures. Then they are retested for infectious agents to ensure proteins are purified and will not cause infection, so that patients are protected.
6
Package
Pure and safe plasma protein products are packaged, labelled and ready for use by clinicians and patients.
Pure and safe plasma protein products are packaged, labelled and ready for use by clinicians and patients.
*Canadian Blood Services is responsible for collecting and testing blood components. The remaining steps are performed externally by manufacturers of plasma protein products.