Baxter Canada BioScience

For over 50 years, Baxter has been a leader in the biotechnology industry and a pioneer in developing critical therapies to treat chronic diseases. Baxter is a leading producer of both plasma-based and recombinant clotting factors for hemophilia, as well as biopharmaceuticals used to treat immune deficiencies and other blood-related disorders. Baxter also produces vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases, as well as biosurgery products used for hemostasis and tissue-sealing in surgery.

Baxter’s breadth and depth of expertise in recombinant protein manufacturing, plasma fractionation and proprietary Vero-cell vaccine manufacturing technologies set it apart from other companies in these fields.

Hemophilia A is a genetic disorder that affects 15-20 of every 100,000 males born worldwide. Hemophilia A is characterized by insufficient amounts or the absence of the clotting factor in the blood known as Factor VIII. People with hemophilia risk spontaneous internal bleeding episodes, which, if not treated, may result in joint damage or even death.

In 1966, Baxter introduced the first commercially produced Factor VIII concentrate to treat hemophilia. In the 1980s Baxter introduced the first heat-treated Factor VIII concentrate available in the United States, and later pioneered the first genetically engineered, non-plasma derived Factor VIII concentrate. In 2003, Baxter launched the first and only recombinant Factor VIII concentrate made without any added human or animal plasma proteins such as albumin in the cell culture process, purification and final formulation. This processing eliminates the risk of infections from viruses and infectious prions that may be carried in these plasma protein additives. All other commercially available recombinant Factor VIII therapies use plasma or albumin at some point in their processing. Baxter also produces other clotting factors for hemophilia, including a therapy for patients with inhibitors, or antibodies, against Factor VIII.

Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are produced by the immune system to protect the body against infections caused by pathogens like bacteria and viruses. People with immune deficiencies are prone to chronic infections that in some cases can lead to death. Baxter is a leading producer of antibody replacement therapies that help people with immune deficiencies fight infections.

These highly purified immunoglobulin G, derived from large pools of human plasma, are indicated for use in the treatment of Primary Immune Deficiencies, for prevention of bacterial infections in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia and/or recurrent bacterial infections associated with B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CCL), for the prevention of coronary artery aneurysms associated with Kawasaki Syndrome and to induce rapid rise in platelet count when needed to prevent and/or to control bleeding in a patient with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

People with AAT deficiency lack an important blood protein processed in the liver that helps protect lung tissue from damage caused by enzymes that are released by white blood cells. Patients with this condition can develop lung damage that if untreated can result in premature death. Baxter currently produces a plasma-based AAT therapy and is collaborating with another company on clinical trials of a recombinant therapy.

Baxter produces a range of vaccines to protect healthy individuals from infectious diseases. The company provides leading vaccines for prevention of meningitis C, a highly infectious disease characterized by rapid onset of life-threatening and debilitating symptoms; tick-borne encephalitis, a potentially fatal disease common in Europe; and smallpox.

Other vaccines in the pipeline target SARS, Lyme disease and other infectious diseases.

Baxter produces products used to achieve hemostasis, seal or glue tissues, and to support wound healing. The two core products of the BioSurgery business are Tisseel VH and CoSeal. Baxter's fibrin sealant product, Tisseel VH, is made up of human fibrinogen and human thrombin, two components that occur naturally in the blood. Tisseel VH replicates the natural blood-clotting process to control bleeding in surgical procedures including abdominal surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, thoracic surgery, and urology. A second product, CoSeal surgical sealant, is a synthetic sealant used in vascular reconstructions to achieve adjunctive hemostasis by mechanically sealing areas of leakage.

Baxter is committed to serving the needs of people around the world with hemophilia as well as people with immune deficiencies and other chronic diseases. Baxter maintains strong relationships with key communities of patients, such as those with hemophilia, beyond providing products. The company continues to advance hemophilia therapy through improved technologies and provides a range of support services for patients – from education to reimbursement assistance. Baxter employees also devote personal time to local hemophilia chapters, fundraising events, summer camps for patients and other activities. Baxter provides similar support to associations and organizations for patients with Primary Immune Deficiencies and other conditions.