As part of the global chain of lights for Rare Disease Day 2026, the historic Old University in Marburg was once again illuminated in the evening hours. The building shined in the colors of the international awareness day. Around 106 countries worldwide take part in Rare Disease Day. Together with CSL, the city drew attention to the approximately 300 million people living with a rare disease worldwide. In Germany, the number of affected individuals is around four million.
Rare diseases each affect no more than five in 10,000 people and are often chronic or life-threatening. More than 6,000 distinct conditions have been identified to date, including immunodeficiencies, hereditary angioedema, and bleeding disorders. Many people affected face misdiagnoses and undergo numerous examinations before receiving a reliable diagnosis.
“Rare Disease Day is far more than a symbolic occasion for us at CSL,” says Dr. Niklas Schier, Site Head at CSL Behring in Marburg. “It reminds us why we work every day to save lives and improve the outlook for people living with a rare disease. Seeing the Old University illuminated in the colors of this special day is a visible sign of our commitment to these individuals.”
For many years, CSL has been researching and developing therapies for people with rare immunological, neurological, and hematological conditions, making a vital contribution to patient care worldwide.
Around 20,000 patients in Germany rely on medicines derived from human blood plasma. As these pharmaceuticals cannot yet be produced synthetically, patients depend permanently on voluntary donations. And the demand for plasma-based medicines continues to rise. To ensure long-term supply, CSL Plasma is expanding its network in Germany.
CSL Plasma has been present in Marburg since 2025 with its own plasma center. The donated plasma is further processed by the parent company, CSL Behring, including at the Marburg site, into medicines for people with rare and serious diseases. This makes the region a key component of the national supply infrastructure for plasma-based medicines. Every additional donation helps reduce dependence on imports from abroad and ensures stable care for patients.
