Grifols Strengthens U.S. Diagnostic Manufacturing with New San Diego Facility
Grifols (MCE: GRF, MCE: GRF.P, NASDAQ: GRFS), a leading global healthcare company specializing in plasma-derived medicines and innovative diagnostic solutions, has officially commenced production at its newly inaugurated facility in San Diego, California. Following approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the plant now manufactures Grifols DG Gel cards and reagent red blood cells (RRBCs), essential tools in blood typing and transfusion safety.
The DG Gel cards and RRBCs produced at the San Diego plant play a critical role in blood type testing, ensuring compatibility between donors and patients. This capability addresses the growing demand for reliable blood typing solutions across the U.S., where nearly 16 million blood components are transfused annually. The market for blood typing products in the U.S. is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9% through 2030, reaching an estimated USD 1.2 billion.
In addition to DG Gel cards, the new facility has begun producing Grifols RRBCs following FDA licensing approval. These reagent red blood cells are carefully formulated at a 0.8% concentration and are a core component of the DG Gel card system. They are used not only for blood group identification but also for antibody detection, ensuring the highest standards of safety and accuracy in transfusion medicine.
“The U.S. remains the primary market for our diagnostic business, making it essential to expand and diversify our operations domestically,” said Antonio Martinez, President of Grifols Diagnostic. “By adding U.S. manufacturing of the DG Gel card system and red blood cell reagents, we are better positioned to serve patients and donors while meeting the growing needs of transfusion medicine. Our San Diego campus is now among the most important hubs for transfusion medicine globally and one of the few dedicated exclusively to this field.”
Over the past decade, Grifols has steadily expanded its manufacturing footprint in the U.S. The company operates one of the world’s largest plasma fractionation facilities in Clayton, North Carolina, and continues to invest in increased production capacity. In addition to Clayton, Grifols maintains four California locations—Los Angeles, Vista, Emeryville, and San Diego—two of which are exclusively focused on the company’s Diagnostic operations.
A State-of-the-Art Facility Driving Growth and Innovation
The 73,541-square-foot San Diego plant, designed by Grifols Engineering, is equipped with advanced automated production systems, a modern quality-control laboratory, warehouse space, and administrative offices. This expansion nearly doubles the overall size of the San Diego campus, reinforcing Grifols’ commitment to innovation and quality in transfusion medicine.
With both DG Gel cards and RRBC production ramping up, the San Diego facility broadens its capabilities beyond the reagents already produced for the Procleix Panther System, Grifols’ leading platform for blood and plasma screening. The San Diego campus, now totaling more than 196,000 square feet, employs over 230 professionals across functions including research and development, quality assurance, finance, facilities, and human resources.
By producing DG Gel cards and RRBCs in the U.S., Grifols adds to existing production lines in Europe—Spain and Switzerland—and Australia. This global diversification ensures the company can respond quickly to evolving customer requirements while maintaining resilience in its supply chain.
DG Gel Cards: A Proven Technology in Transfusion Medicine
Grifols Diagnostic has established itself as a global leader in transfusion medicine, with its DG Gel card technology recognized for its high accuracy and reliability. DG Gel cards are essential in blood group determination and antibody detection, supporting both routine transfusions and more complex clinical cases, such as assessing fetal risk in pregnancies affected by Rh incompatibility.
The DG Gel system operates on column agglutination technology and is compatible with Grifols’ proprietary Erytra and Erytra Eflexis instrumentation. These platforms enable blood centers and immunohematology laboratories to generate rapid, precise results, enhancing safety and efficiency in blood and plasma donation programs.
Since its introduction in the U.S. more than a decade ago, the DG Gel card system has steadily increased its market share while contributing to the double-digit growth of Grifols’ Diagnostic business in North America. In the first half of 2025, the Diagnostic Business Unit reported a 2.8% increase in revenue at constant currency compared with the same period in 2024. The blood typing segment, in particular, continues to experience double-digit growth, building on a 15% expansion in North America during 2024.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Transfusion Medicine in the U.S.
The inauguration of the San Diego facility marks a significant milestone in Grifols’ strategy to expand its U.S. diagnostic manufacturing capabilities. By localizing production of DG Gel cards and RRBCs, Grifols not only enhances its ability to meet domestic demand but also reinforces its position as a leading provider of transfusion medicine solutions worldwide.
As the market for blood typing and transfusion safety continues to grow, Grifols is strategically positioned to provide high-quality, innovative products that meet the needs of healthcare providers, blood banks, and patients alike. With its new San Diego hub, the company strengthens its commitment to improving transfusion safety, advancing diagnostic technology, and supporting the global healthcare community.
