Grifols has officially expanded its US diagnostics manufacturing capacity with the launch of a new 73,541-square-foot facility in San Diego, California.
The site will produce DG Gel cards and reagent red blood cells (RRBCs) technologies critical for ensuring blood transfusion compatibility and identifying clinical complications such as Rh incompatibility in pregnancy.
The move follows the US launch of its polyvalent immunoglobulin G preparation, Yimmugo (IgG Next Generation), and marks a major step in the company’s strategy to enhance US production capabilities for its diagnostic solutions.
Meeting the Growing Demand
Grifols’ new San Diego facility aims to meet the increasing demand for blood typing and compatibility testing in the US, where more than 16 million blood components are transfused each year. The market for blood typing solutions is projected to grow by 6.9% by 2030, reaching an estimated $1.2 billion, as per a Grand View Horizon report.
“The US continues to be the primary market for our diagnostic business,” said Antonio Martinez, President of Grifols Diagnostic. “Adding US manufacturing of the DG Gel card system and red blood cell reagents is a key step in being closer to our patients and donors to meet their growing transfusion medicine needs.”
By producing DG Gel cards and RRBCs domestically, Grifols enhances supply reliability and responsiveness, particularly as hospitals and blood banks seek greater security in the supply chain for critical diagnostic materials.
Designed by Grifols Engineering, the new plant nearly doubles the size of the existing San Diego campus, which previously focused on reagents for the Procleix Panther System, the company’s leading infectious disease screening platform.
The high-tech facility includes a state-of-the-art quality control laboratory, warehouse, and office space. It utilizes advanced automation to increase efficiency and precision in the production of DG Gel cards and RRBCs.
With the expansion, Grifols’ San Diego campus now spans more than 196,000 square feet and employs over 230 professionals across production, R&D, quality assurance, and other business functions.
Strengthening Global Diagnostic Supply Chain
The San Diego expansion adds to Grifols’ global diagnostic network, complementing existing DG Gel and RRBC production sites in Spain, Switzerland, and Australia. This international footprint enhances Grifols’ ability to adapt to market shifts and maintain supply continuity worldwide.
By diversifying its manufacturing base, the company aims to reduce dependency on single-region production and provide greater resilience in its global supply chain — a growing priority in the post-pandemic healthcare landscape.
Over the past decade, Grifols has made significant investments to expand its US manufacturing footprint. The company operates plasma fractionation facilities in Clayton, North Carolina, and several California sites, including Los Angeles, Vista, Emeryville, and San Diego.
DG Gel Technology
Grifols’ DG Gel card technology, based on column agglutination, enables accurate and rapid identification of blood types and antibodies. The system, processed on the company’s Erytra and Erytra Eflexis instruments, provides essential compatibility testing in hospitals, laboratories, and blood banks.
Since its introduction to the US over a decade ago, DG Gel technology has seen steady growth in market share, contributing to the company’s double-digit expansion in its North American diagnostics business. In the first half of 2025, Grifols Diagnostics reported 2.8% revenue growth, with particularly strong performance in the blood typing segment.
The launch of the San Diego facility represents another milestone in Grifols’ mission to advance transfusion safety and diagnostic innovation. By combining high-precision manufacturing with a global production network, the company is positioning itself to meet future demand.
