UAE to host regional centre for tests on blood plasma

Dubai: The UAE has been selected to host the regional centre for studies on using modern technology accredited by the European Union for sterilisation of blood plasma and platelets of different microbes and bacterial viruses.

The move was announced during a meeting between Dr Ameen Hussain Al Amiri, Executive Director for Medical Practices and Licensing Affairs at the Ministry of Health, and Professor Peter Frank, CEO of MacoPharma, a leading innovator in global healthcare with expertise in blood transfusion.

Dr. Al Amiri said the meeting reviewed ways of deepening joint cooperation with MacoParma in the field of modern industries with regard to blood transfusion services and their related research.

"MacoPharma has decided to take the UAE as a regional centre for conducting studies on application of the EU-accredited innovative modern technology for tests of blood plasma and platelets," said Al Amiri.

"The UAE will be the first country in the Middle East region to deliver this technology in the package of its blood transfusion services,'' he said, adding that a series of workshops for haematology professionals will be held across the region to introduce the new technology.

The introduction of this technology to the region, he said, would be launched from the UAE which has made excellent results and high standards in safety of blood transfusion and research.

The Centre for Blood Transfusion and Research in Sharjah has been ranked as one of the best blood services facilities in the region.

MacoPharma has become the largest supplier of in-line leucodepletion filtration sets in Europe and is expanding its efforts into the biotechnology field by developing products for cell expansion, in addition to cell-organ processing and freezing. Headquartered in the Lille metropolitan area (France), MacoPharma has three manufacturing facilities in Europe and its products are now sold in more than 55 countries worldwide.

One of MacoPharma's aims is to provide a comprehensive range for the reduction of infectious agents in plasma, platelets and red cells.

This is consistent with the MacoPharma product development strategy of the continuous quest through partnerships for improved safety, efficacy, and quality of transfusion, infusion and biotherapy.