GE Healthcare, Neste Jacobs enter alliance to increase self-sufficiency in blood plasma fractionation

GE Healthcare, the healthcare business of GE (NYSE:GE) and Neste Jacobs Oy, a leading global expert in plasma fractionation plant engineering design and construction, announced today that the companies have formed a strategic alliance to assist countries worldwide to become self-sufficient in the manufacture of blood plasma products. The alliance will combine GE Healthcare's expertise in bioprocessing for plasma fractionation with Neste Jacobs's global bio-engineering and construction capabilities. Together, the companies will offer governments and pharmaceutical companies an integrated, cost-competitive "turn-key" approach for the construction of plasma fractionation plants, to help meet the rising worldwide demand for these potentially life-saving treatments. The alliance between the two companies aligns with GE's healthymagination initiative, which focuses on reducing cost, increasing access and improving quality in healthcare.

Human blood plasma, the liquid component of blood, is the source of many proteins such as Factor VIII, Factor IX, Immunoglobulin and Albumin. These protein products, which are prepared from plasma via a process known as fractionation, are used to treat a wide variety of serious and often life-threatening conditions such as shock, trauma, infections, immunological disorders, Hemophilia A and B, and other blood disorders. The global demand for blood plasma products is predicted to grow from $13 billion in 2009 to an estimated $26.5 billion by 2015. However healthcare providers in many countries, especially emerging nations, are unable to meet demand for these treatments. The World Federation of Hemophilia estimates that globally 400,000 people are living with hemophilia, of whom only 25% receive adequate treatment. Helping countries to become self-sufficient in the fractionation of locally collected plasma will overcome many of these unmet healthcare needs.

Olivier Loeillot, General Manager of Enterprise Solutions, GE Healthcare Life Sciences said "GE Healthcare is known as a leading provider of technologies for plasma fractionation. The alliance with Neste Jacobs means we can combine our expertise and our extensive process equipment, consumables and project management services with the world-class capabilities of one of the foremost engineering companies in this field. By working together to bring an integrated offering - from financing and construction of the plant, right through to training of the operational staff - we can make it much easier for governments and other healthcare providers to acquire these essential capabilities. This is a big step forward in bringing simple yet vital healthcare to people who, up to now, have been denied these treatments."

Jarmo Suominen, the Managing Director and CEO of Neste Jacobs said "Neste Jacobs has over 30 years' experience in the design of plasma fractionation plants, all over the world, and we're delighted to form this alliance with GE Healthcare. We have a shared vision of bringing an integrated approach to plasma fractionation, to drive efficiency and simplicity in the construction of new plants. Combining the unique competences and know-how of our respective companies will help secure the delivery of turn-key solutions to the plasma products industry including construction of complete green field facilities. This alliance gives us an excellent opportunity to better serve clients investing in plasma fractionation world-wide."