Octapharma USA, part of Swiss human protein products maker Octapharma Group, has announced the availability of Octaplas, a solvent/detergent treated pooled human plasma, in the country.
Designed to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission and immunologic reactions, Octaplas is indicated for the substitution of multiple coagulation factors in patients with known shortages due to liver disease or undergoing cardiac surgery or liver transplant.
In addition, Octaplas is also indicated for plasma exchange in patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Octaplas, which is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2013, uses an optimized production process which holds essential coagulation factors and other proteins, reduces the risk of transmitting non-enveloped and enveloped viruses, minimizes single-donor variability, and removes cells and cellular debris.
Octapharma USA president Flemming Nielsen said that more than 13 million bags of Octaplas products have been transfused to more than 4.3 million patients worldwide since January 1992.
"We are excited to bring Octaplas to the medical community because we are committed to providing life saving and enhancing therapies to US patients," Nielsen added.
