CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Plasma Technologies LLC, a plasma biologics technology company, announced the recent issuance of US patent #8,293,242, an “Ultra-High Yield of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin” and the Company’s plans to commercialize its patented extraction process for plasma biologics. The Company’s technology fundamentally changes the economics of blood plasma fractionation by substantially increasing the yield of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and makes possible the extraction of several additional therapeutically useful plasma proteins. The non-denaturing process will enable plasma-derived biologics to be differentiated on the basis of improved molecular integrity that will enhance patient tolerance, will minimize the danger of thromboembolic events and will preserve the serum half-lives of the biomolecules.
The existing $15 Billion worldwide plasma biologics market is substantially underserved, and continues to grow at about 10% annually. Driving that growth is the demand for AAT, used to treat a growing number of diseases. AAT deficiency is a genetic condition resulting in damage to lung, liver, and pancreatic tissues, with pulmonary emphysema as the most common indication. In North America and Europe there at least 150,000 people living with AAT deficiency, but fewer than 10,000 receive AAT therapy, which is lifelong and involves weekly injections of AAT. Administration of AAT in non-deficient individuals may interfere with disease progression in the following conditions: Diabetes (type 1 & 2), acute myocardial infarction, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, graft vs. host disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, vasculitis, organ transplantation, and multiple sclerosis.
Current methods of AAT production cannot meet the demand created by the expanding number of clinical indications. Plasma Technologies LLC believes that AAT can be supplied in volumes needed to meet current and future demand through the adoption by pharmaceutical manufacturers of the Company’s proprietary extraction process, the elements of which are salt precipitation from plasma, subsequent salt removal by diafiltration and final purification by means of affinity and ion exchange chromatography. Increased supply of AAT will be complemented by new low-cost genetic tests that identify patients likely to benefit from AAT therapy.
The Company’s process and technology are covered by US Patents #7,879,331, #7,879,332, and #8,293,242, the last of which will not expire until November 2030. Patents have also been filed in major patent jurisdictions outside the United States.
Additional information about the Company and its technology can be found on its website at www.plasmatechnologies.us
SOURCE Plasma Technologies LLC
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