A new centre in the heart of downtown Halifax, wants to help battle the need for plasma nationwide.
Drumlin Plasma Inc. collects plasma from donors, solely to help manufacture in-vitro test kits that diagnose bleeding disorders.
CEO Darcy Shannon, worked in the medical devise manufacturing industry for about 15 years.
CEO of Drumlin Plasma Inc., Darcy Shannon
Photo: Darcy Shannon
He tells our newsroom he was in charge of using human plasma to make test kits but securing that part of the blood has become more challenging and so now is the time to act.
“The seed was planted 5…6, 7 years ago in my mind and it came to the point now where it was time to do it…to again help these manufacturers do what they do best, which is improve the quality of life for people with bleeding disorders.”
What separates Drumlin from a regular blood bank like Canadian Blood Services, Shannon says, is that 100 per cent of the plasma collected is used for diagnosing bleeding disorders.
While blood banks, collect plasma for things like, transfusions and medications.
Shannon tells us, however, both processes need one another.
“One leads into the other obviously, and are very, very complimentary. So, you can’t treat somebody until you know what condition they have. So that’s where Drumlin fits in.”
He adds that there are other companies in the world that do supply plasma for test kits, but it’s typically not their primary focus.
Compensation
Shannon says there is a deficit of plasma in Canada, so right now we source mostly from the United States.
With his new centre, he hopes to contribute to the overall supply we can produce here so that we don’t rely on others.
As a thank you, donors will be paid $25 on their first visit, then $35 every visit after that, with an extra $20 on top if you donate more than once in a week.
Shannon says the whole process takes about an hour and a half for the first visit, then about 45 minutes to an hour every visit after that.
Why choose Halifax
Although Shannon plans on expanding Drumlin first to the Maritime provinces in the coming years, before branching out nationally, he wanted to start in Halifax first.
The main reason is because he grew up here.
“Nova Scotia and Halifax, specifically, is a wonderful place, you know… we have a great workforce, we have a great life sciences hub. The people are beautiful, it’s a beautiful city, we are open to growth and open to innovation. Why wouldn’t I do that … it’s my home.”
Drumlin is now taking pre-bookings.
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