Celebrating Plasma Donors And Raising Rare Disease Awareness

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ANNAPOLIS, Md., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA) and its member companies are sponsoring International Plasma Awareness Week, October 12-18. This event is designed to:

• Raise global awareness about source plasma collection
• Recognize the contributions of plasma donors in saving and improving lives
• Increase understanding about lifesaving plasma protein therapies and rare diseases

PPTA member companies have planned a variety of activities at plasma collection facilities in Europe and the U.S. In addition, patient organizations representing individuals who rely on plasma protein therapies that treat rare diseases have pledged their support.

PPTA will sponsor events in Washington, DC and Berlin, Germany. During IPAW, PPTA will visit plasma centers with members of the German Parliament in Halle, Potsdam, and Erfurt. On October 16, PPTA will host a Workshop in Berlin, which will include recognition of long-term donors by German Parliament member Martina Stamm-Fibich (SPD), as well as dialogue between experts from academia and industry. Patients and donors will also share personal perspectives. In addition to the Workshop, a federal luncheon will be held October 16 in Washington, DC to focus congressional staff on the lifesaving contributions of source plasma donors in saving patients' lives.

"Patients throughout the world rely on plasma protein therapies which are developed through the generosity and commitment of plasma donors. PPTA is proud of the contributions industry makes to saving and improving lives," said Joshua Penrod, PPTA Vice President, Source.

Plasma protein therapies, which include plasma-derived therapies and recombinant analogs, are used to treat chronic, life-threatening diseases including bleeding disorders, primary immune deficiencies, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and certain rare neurological disorders. In addition, these therapies are used in emergency and surgical medicine.

Plasma, a biological material derived from humans, is used to create lifesaving therapies. There are over 450 plasma collection facilities in Canada, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, and the U.S. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements, the majority of these centers have achieved International Quality Plasma Program (IQPP) certification.  PPTA's voluntary standards program provides global leadership for the industry's goal of continuous improvement with a focus on safety and quality from the donor to the patient.  

About PPTA
The Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), a global industry trade association, represents the private sector manufacturers of plasma-derived and recombinant analog therapies, collectively known as plasma protein therapies and the collectors of source plasma used for fractionation. Millions of people use these therapies worldwide to treat a variety of diseases and serious medical conditions. PPTA also administers standards and programs that help ensure the quality and safety of plasma protein therapies, donors and patients.

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SOURCE Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA)