National Biotechnology Company Selects Zanesville for New Location
ZANESVILLE, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The largest independent blood-plasma donation center operator in the world is adding its fourth center in Ohio. The new center is in Zanesville and will help meet the worldwide demand for blood-plasma. Freedom Plasma operates donation centers in 13 states and is a subsidiary of ImmunoTek Bio Centers. Zanesville marks the 71st center in the U.S., wholly designed, built, and operated by the organization. It operates Freedom Plasma centers in Mansfield, Toledo, and Cleveland.
The company has accepted more than six million donations from blood-plasma donors since it launched in 2013. Those donations provide much-needed plasma used to make plasma protein therapies and medicines for healthcare patients around the globe. These plasma-derived medicines treat immune disorders, rare diseases, burn victims, cancer patients, and various other illnesses. Treating just one patient for a year requires 130 – 1,200 plasma donations from healthy donors.
Plasma is the golden liquid part of blood, and because of its unique biologic make-up cannot be created synthetically. The U.S. provides 2/3 of the plasma used worldwide and is one of the few countries that allow healthcare companies to compensate donors financially for their time donating plasma. Having a plasma donation center in a community also provides a significant economic boost by creating jobs.
“We anticipate a fully operational center to generate $5 million for the local community yearly,” said Blair McKinney, Chief Operating Officer of ImmunoTek Bio Centers, the parent company of Freedom Plasma. “Not only do our centers add new jobs to the community, but they also provide a source of compensation for donors and generate spending in local businesses.”
To be eligible to donate plasma, a medical screening is conducted by in-house medical professionals, along with a medical history and physical exam. Donating plasma is much like a blood donation, and plasma is removed from the blood using a safe, sterile, self-contained automated process called plasmapheresis. The donor has the remaining red blood cells returned. Donors can give plasma up to twice a week.
“Every donor makes a difference. Their plasma helps create medicines providing a good quality of life to others. A small investment of the donor’s time makes a huge difference for someone who needs plasma-based medicines to survive,” said Mandy Priest, Freedom Plasma Center Director in Zanesville.
Freedom Plasma’s new location is at 1743 Maysville Avenue and will operate Tuesday – Saturday. Walking-in donors are welcome after the first week of operation, which is by appointment only. If you need more information or want to make an appointment, call the center at 740-617-4752 or visit www.FreedomPlasma.com.
ABOUT FREEDOM PLASMA
Freedom Plasma was developed and is operated by ImmunoTek Bio Centers LLC in partnership with a global healthcare company and leading manufacturer of plasma-derived medicines. Freedom Plasma provides donors within the communities it serves the freedom to improve their financial position and help positively impact patients’ lives who rely on plasma-based therapies. Each plasma donation is essential and provides patients the freedom to live healthier and happier lives.
ABOUT IMMUNOTEK BIO CENTERS, LLC
ImmunoTek Bio Centers LLC is the largest and fastest-growing independent plasma collection center operator in the world. ImmunoTek is a global leader in developing a reliable plasma supply chain for international biotech companies, as well as partnering with organizations for ancillary projects related to blood-plasma collection. Since its inception in 2013, ImmunoTek has built and operated more than 60 plasma collection centers, most of which have achieved or are in the process of achieving U.S. FDA-licensure and European certification. ImmunoTek currently has centers operating in 12 states, with 31 additional centers in the construction process, and planning underway for more than 63 more sites over the next three years. For more information, visit www.ImmunoTek.com.
Contacts
Sandy Santo
Director of Marketing
817-767-9772
mediainquiries@immunotek.com