Health Canada has officially suspended the plasma collection license at Grifols' Taylor Avenue facility in Winnipeg, citing concerns about the facility's quality management system following the deaths of two plasma donors — one in October 2025 and another in January 2026 — at Grifols clinics in the city.

Spanish drugmaker Grifols stated that operations are unaffected because the company had already voluntarily suspended plasma collection at the site. Grifols also emphasized that donor safety and plasma quality had not been compromised at any of its Canadian centers. The company has since taken full management control of Canada Plasma Inc., accelerating its acquisition of the remaining ownership stake after previously being limited in its ability to direct operations as majority shareholder.

Key Takeaways:

• Grifols has conducted a company-wide operational review across its Canadian centers, including staff retraining and enhanced quality procedures
• The company is actively collaborating with Health Canada on a plan to reopen the Taylor Avenue facility
• Grifols attributed past governance limitations to its prior minority management role in Canada Plasma Inc.

Why it matters: Plasma-derived therapies are critical for patients with rare and chronic conditions. Regulatory scrutiny over donor safety at collection centers has direct implications for plasma supply chains and the patients who depend on them.