CSL Behring, a global biotherapeutics company, has announced its latest geographic expansion to provide more patients with greater access to treatment by opening operations in Russia.

The move is particularly significant in Russia, where the healthcare system has some unmet needs for state-of-the-art biotherapies and blood plasma products.

With operations in more than 30 countries, CSL Behring focuses on developing novel, protein-based therapies for the treatment of bleeding disorders, immune deficiencies, inherited respiratory disease and hereditary angioedema, and for neurological disorders in certain markets. CSL Behring is a subsidiary of CSL Limited.

CSL CEO and Managing Director Paul Perreault said the new office enables CSL Behring to partner more closely with the Russian Federation, healthcare providers, patient groups and the scientific community. He noted that CSL Behring will be closer to patients, will listen to them more carefully and will better understand their medical needs. The company currently has seven products registered in Russia.

“It is this process of listening and engaging that enhances our ability to deliver new and innovative medicines that make such a huge difference in people’s lives,” Perreault said. He added that it will now be easier to launch products in Russia and offer new therapy options to doctors and their patients.

In addition, CSL Behring is investigating opportunities to contribute to the development of the Russian pharmaceutical industry, and identify the best ways to partner with the Russian government. As an example, because the amount of human plasma currently collected in Russia is insufficient to meet the growing demand for protein-based medicines, Perreault said it may be possible to transfer CSL Behring’s plasma collection technology to Russia, and initiate toll manufacturing in that country.

Over the last five years, CSL has invested more than $2 billion in research and development, employing more than 1,100 R&D experts.