Octapharma to Operate Plasma Fractionation Plant Owned by the NSTOB in Springe, Germany - Press Release concerning a substantial agreement entered into between: Blutspendedienst der Landesverbände des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes Niedersachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt, Thüringen, Oldenburg und Bremen gGmbH (NSTOB) a blood transfusion service founded by various chapters of the German Red Cross and Octapharma AG, a privately held company, with headquarters in Lachen, Switzerland, and affiliated companies in Germany. The purpose of the collaboration is for Octapharma to utilize the plasma fractionation plant of DRK PVG in Springe, Germany, the blood-fractionation company owned by NSTOB and other German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Services. For NSTOB, the German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service of Baden Württemberg-Hessen and other German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Services the purpose is to ensure the supply of larger quantities of plasma to the plant during a minimum of five years. The new agreement continues a successful collaboration concerning plasma derivatives and production which was started in 2001. The agreement was made at a time when DRK PVG were looking for a new partner since their collaboration with a larger plasma fractionation company in the industry was coming to an end.