CSL Vifor
CSL Vifor is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical business focused on iron deficiency, nephrology, dialysis, cardio-renal conditions and rare diseases.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
CSL Vifor is the Swiss specialty-pharmaceutical business formerly known as Vifor Pharma and now operating within Australian biotechnology and plasma-products group CSL Limited. Its principal therapeutic interests are iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia, kidney disease, dialysis, cardio-renal disorders and selected rare diseases. The company develops, manufactures, licenses and commercializes medicines for both hospital and specialist-care settings, with products distributed in more than 100 countries. The business traces part of its heritage to 1872, when pharmacist Caspar Friedrich Hausmann established a pharmacy in St. Gallen. A second important lineage began in 1927, when Swiss pharmacists created a joint purchasing organization that became Galenica in 1933. René Grosclaude founded Vifor Ltd. in 1944, initially producing over-the-counter medicines. Galenica later acquired Hausmann laboratories, and in 1991 Vifor (International) Ltd. was established to continue the development of iron therapies. These strands were consolidated into Vifor Pharma in 2008 after the acquisition of Canadian biotechnology company Aspreva Pharmaceutical Corporation. The company expanded from its historical iron business into renal and specialty pharmaceuticals through acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures. Its collaboration with Fresenius Medical Care, established in 2010 as Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, created a major platform for products addressing renal anemia, mineral and bone disorders, hyperphosphatemia and dialysis-related care. Vifor also acquired Relypsa in 2016, bringing the potassium-binding medicine Veltassa into its portfolio, and divested OM Pharma in 2020. Further transactions and licensing agreements broadened its pipeline in vasculitis, kidney disease, calcification disorders, chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus and other specialist indications. Key commercial products include Ferinject and Injectafer, ferric carboxymaltose products used to treat iron deficiency; Venofer, an iron sucrose product; Maltofer, an oral iron polymaltose treatment; Veltassa, a potassium binder for hyperkalemia; and Velphoro, a phosphate binder used in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis. Through agreements with other pharmaceutical companies, the portfolio has also included Mircera, Retacrit, Tavneos, Korsuva or Kapruvia, Rayaldee, Sparsentan and investigational medicines such as vadadustat, vamifeport and SNF472. In December 2021, CSL Limited announced an agreement to acquire Vifor Pharma. The transaction was completed in August 2022, after which the business became CSL Vifor. The current organization combines the Vifor specialty-pharmaceutical platform with CSL's international infrastructure. Its activities remain centered on specialty medicines rather than broad primary-care pharmaceuticals, with research and manufacturing capabilities in Switzerland and additional operations through subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnered businesses. The organization includes CSL Vifor, Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma and Sanifit Therapeutics, while other collaborations extend its reach in China and in emerging nephrology programs.
History
CSL Vifor's history combines the development of a Swiss iron-medicine business with the later construction of an international specialty-pharmaceutical group. The earliest institutional reference is Caspar Friedrich Hausmann's pharmacy in St. Gallen, founded in 1872. Hausmann's work supplied an important historical connection to the company's later emphasis on iron deficiency. In 1927, sixteen pharmacists established Collaboration Pharmaceutique SA as a joint purchasing center. The organization was renamed Galenica in 1933 and subsequently became the corporate structure from which the modern Vifor business developed. René Grosclaude founded Vifor Ltd. in 1944, initially concentrating on over-the-counter medicines. In 1983, Galenica acquired Hausmann AG laboratories, bringing the Hausmann research and manufacturing heritage into the group. Vifor (International) Ltd. was created in 1991 to take over the development work of Laboratorien Hausmann, particularly in new iron products. The modern Vifor Pharma organization was formed in 2008 following Galenica's acquisition of Aspreva Pharmaceutical Corporation. Vifor Ltd. and Vifor (International) Ltd. were integrated with Aspreva's activities, giving the group a broader specialty-medicine platform and international development capabilities. The business expanded its therapeutic scope during the following decade. Galenica acquired Swiss biotechnology company OM Pharma in 2009. In 2010, Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Medical Care established Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, a joint company focused on medicines for dialysis and chronic kidney disease. Galenica was reorganized in 2014 into Vifor Pharma and Galenica Santé divisions, separating specialty pharmaceuticals from the consumer-health and pharmacy-related activities that later became independently listed. Vifor strengthened its nephrology portfolio through the 2016 acquisition of Relypsa. The transaction brought Veltassa, a potassium binder, into the group and reinforced the company's move beyond iron deficiency into chronic kidney disease and cardio-renal care. In 2017, Galenica Santé and Vifor Pharma became independent listed entities on the Swiss market. The company then continued to use partnerships and licensing to supplement internal research and manufacturing. During 2020, Vifor sold OM Pharma to Optimus Holding and entered a cooperation with Fresenius Kabi for intravenous iron products in China. It also signed an agreement with Cara Therapeutics concerning commercialization of difelikefalin for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus. In 2021, Vifor licensed European, Australian and New Zealand rights for sparsentan and participated in the commercialization of medicines including Tavneos and Korsuva or Kapruvia. The company also acquired Sanifit, whose SNF472 program addressed vascular calcification disorders, and Inositec, which worked on soft-tissue and vascular calcification and aortic-valve-stenosis applications. CSL Limited announced its proposed acquisition of Vifor Pharma in December 2021. The acquisition was completed in August 2022, changing the business's identity to CSL Vifor and ending its existence as an independent listed Swiss pharmaceutical company. Under CSL, the business continues to operate as a specialty-pharmaceutical platform focused on iron deficiency, dialysis, nephrology, cardio-renal medicine and rare diseases. Its organizational structure includes CSL Vifor, the Fresenius Medical Care renal joint venture and Sanifit Therapeutics, supported by research, manufacturing, commercial and partnership activities across multiple regions.
- 2022
Vifor Pharma became CSL Vifor
[1]CSL Limited completed its acquisition of Vifor Pharma, which became a CSL business.
- 2021
Sanifit and Inositec acquired
[1]The acquisitions broadened the company's work in vascular and soft-tissue calcification disorders.
- 2020
OM Pharma divested and China partnership expanded
[1]Vifor sold OM Pharma and established a Fresenius Kabi collaboration for intravenous iron therapies in China.
- 2017
Vifor Pharma became independently listed
[1]Following the separation of Galenica's businesses, Vifor Pharma AG and Galenica AG traded as independent companies.
- 2016
Relypsa acquired
[1]The acquisition expanded Vifor's nephrology portfolio and added Veltassa.
- 2010
Renal joint venture established with Fresenius Medical Care
[1]Vifor and Fresenius Medical Care created Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma.
- 2008
Vifor Pharma formed through Aspreva integration
[1]Galenica acquired Aspreva Pharmaceutical Corporation and integrated Vifor's principal businesses into Vifor Pharma.
- 1991
Vifor (International) established
[1]Vifor (International) Ltd. took over development work from Laboratorien Hausmann, including work on new iron products.
- 1983
Hausmann laboratories acquired by Galenica
[1]Galenica acquired Hausmann AG laboratories, linking the company's corporate structure with the Hausmann research tradition.
- 1944
Vifor Ltd. founded
[1]René Grosclaude founded Vifor Ltd., initially as an over-the-counter medicines company.
Products and positioning
A global specialty-pharmaceutical company focused on iron deficiency, kidney disease and other specialist conditions, combining proprietary development with licensing, acquisitions and renal-care partnerships.
Iron deficiency
Ferinject / Injectafer
Ferinject, marketed as Injectafer in some markets, is an intravenous ferric carboxymaltose treatment for iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. It is a central product in CSL Vifor's historical and commercial iron franchise and is used in settings where oral replacement is inadequate, unsuitable or insufficient.
Iron deficiency
Venofer
Venofer is an intravenous iron sucrose product used particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease and other conditions requiring parenteral iron replacement. It is one of the established products supporting the company's hospital and dialysis-related iron business.
Oral iron therapy
Maltofer
Maltofer is an oral iron polymaltose medicine for iron deficiency. It represents the oral component of the company's iron portfolio and complements its intravenous products across different treatment settings and patient needs.
Nephrology
Veltassa
Veltassa is patiromer, a potassium binder used to manage hyperkalemia. Added through the acquisition of Relypsa, it became a major nephrology product and expanded Vifor's portfolio beyond iron deficiency into chronic kidney disease and cardio-renal management.
Dialysis and nephrology
Velphoro
Velphoro is sucroferric oxyhydroxide, a phosphate binder used to control serum phosphate in adults with chronic kidney disease receiving dialysis. It is associated with the company's renal and dialysis-focused business.
Renal anemia
Mircera
Mircera is methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, an erythropoiesis-stimulating therapy used in renal anemia. The product is licensed from Roche and is commercialized within the broader renal-care portfolio.
Renal anemia
Retacrit
Retacrit is an epoetin alfa biosimilar used as an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent. It is licensed from Pfizer and supports treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease and other approved settings.
Nephrology
Korsuva / Kapruvia
Korsuva, known as Kapruvia in some markets, is difelikefalin, a medicine for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus in appropriate dialysis patients. Vifor commercialized the product through an agreement with Cara Therapeutics.
Rare disease and nephrology
Tavneos
Tavneos is avacopan, a complement-pathway treatment for ANCA-associated vasculitis. It entered the Vifor commercial and licensing portfolio through an agreement involving ChemoCentryx.
Calcification disorders
SNF472
SNF472 is an investigational therapy obtained through Sanifit, aimed at disorders involving vascular calcification, including calcific uremic arteriolopathy and peripheral artery disease in patients with end-stage kidney disease.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisitions of Sanifit and InositecM&ABackground
Vifor sought to build a pipeline in vascular and soft-tissue calcification disorders associated with kidney disease and cardiovascular conditions.
Action taken
The company acquired Sanifit and Swiss biotechnology company Inositec.
Aftermath
The transactions added SNF472 and related research capabilities to Vifor's specialty and rare-disease pipeline.
2021
CSL agreement to acquire Vifor PharmaM&ABackground
CSL sought to expand its specialty-pharmaceutical activities and complement its existing global healthcare businesses.
Action taken
CSL announced an agreement to acquire Vifor Pharma for CHF 10.9 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in August 2022, and Vifor Pharma became CSL Vifor.
Announced acquisition value. CHF 10.9 billion (December 2021 announcement)
2020
Divestment of OM PharmaM&ABackground
Vifor reviewed its portfolio while concentrating resources on iron deficiency, renal medicine and specialty pharmaceuticals.
Action taken
The company sold all of OM Pharma to Optimus Holding Limited.
Aftermath
The divestment sharpened the group's focus on its core specialty-pharmaceutical and renal activities.
Sale consideration. CHF 435 million (2020)
2016
Acquisition of RelypsaM&ABackground
Vifor wanted to reinforce its nephrology and cardio-renal presence with a commercially differentiated treatment for hyperkalemia.
Action taken
Vifor acquired U.S. biotechnology company Relypsa and obtained the Veltassa potassium-binder business.
Aftermath
Veltassa became a key nephrology product and helped diversify the group beyond iron deficiency.
2008
Acquisition and integration of AsprevaM&ABackground
Galenica sought to create a broader international specialty-pharmaceutical platform by acquiring Canadian biotechnology company Aspreva and combining it with the existing Vifor businesses.
Action taken
Aspreva, Vifor Ltd. and Vifor (International) Ltd. were integrated under the Vifor Pharma structure.
Aftermath
The transaction established the modern Vifor Pharma identity and supported expansion beyond the company's earlier Swiss iron and over-the-counter medicines base.
Recent events
- 2022
Vifor Pharma acquired by CSL Limited[1]
M&A
CSL Limited completed its acquisition of Vifor Pharma, bringing the Swiss specialty-pharmaceutical company into the CSL group and establishing the CSL Vifor identity.
- 2021
CSL Limited announced proposed acquisition of Vifor Pharma[1]
M&A
CSL announced an agreement to acquire Vifor Pharma in a transaction described as one of the largest secondary-market deals of 2021.
- 2021
Vifor Pharma acquired Sanifit and Inositec[1]
M&A
Vifor expanded its renal and calcification-disorder activities through the acquisition of Sanifit and Swiss biotechnology company Inositec.
- 2020
Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Kabi formed a China iron-therapy joint venture[1]
M&A
The companies agreed to cooperate in China on the commercialization of intravenous iron treatments.
- 2018
Veltassa expanded its U.S. label[1]
Regulation · Product generation
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a supplemental application allowing Veltassa to be administered with or without food.
- 2016
Vifor Pharma completed acquisition of Relypsa[1]
M&A · Product launch
Vifor acquired U.S. biotechnology company Relypsa, strengthening its nephrology portfolio with the potassium binder Veltassa.
Sources5 sources
- 1CSL Viforen.wikipedia.org
- 2CSL Vifor official websiteviforpharma.com
- 3CordenPharma Completes Acquisition of Three Manufacturing Facilities from Vifor Pharmaprnewswire.com
- 4Vifor Pharma Group Announces Successful Sale of OM Pharmafinanznachrichten.de
- 5Vifor Pharma Group announces successful sale of OM Pharma - Pharmaceutical Business reviewpharmaceutical-business-review.com
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