Finance
Kedrion Warns MidEast Conflict May Disrupt Plasma Supplies to Iran
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
Add as preferred source on Google
Quick Summary
Kedrion cautions that ongoing disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—driven by intensified Middle East conflict—may hinder delivery of critical plasma-derived therapies to Iran, forcing costly land-based rerouting amid rising fuel prices.
Kedrion Cautions MidEast Conflict Could Disrupt Plasma Supply to Iran
Potential Impact of Strait of Hormuz Disruption on Kedrion's Operations
By Giancarlo Navach
Current Shipping Challenges
MILAN, April 24 (Reuters) - Italian biopharmaceutical company Kedrion said on Friday it may struggle to deliver vital plasma-based medicines to patients in Iran if disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz persists.
Logistics and Rising Costs
Chief Executive Ugo Di Francesco said the company has been forced to move immunoglobulins to Iran by land, with rising fuel prices risking logistics costs becoming too expensive.
Ensuring Product Availability
"It's a question of logistics, namely our ability to physically deliver products to patients," Di Francesco told Reuters in an interview.
"So far we have not experienced significant effects on our capacity to ensure the availability of therapies," he added.
Kedrion's Global Operations and Ownership
Kedrion produces life-saving treatments for rare and ultra-rare diseases. Its plasma collection network comprises about 76 centres, with 68 in the U.S. and the rest in the Czech Republic.
The company is controlled by private equity group Permira, which holds a 63.2% stake. Italy's Marcucci family owns 16.3%, while Italian investment firms FSI and CDP Equity are minority shareholders.
Recent Merger and Workforce
Kedrion merged with Britain's Bio Products Laboratory in 2022 to create a global plasma-derivatives group and employs about 5,400 people.
Financial Performance and Market Outlook
It posted revenue of 1.65 billion euros ($1.78 billion) in 2025, up 4.5% from 2024, and adjusted core earnings (EBITDA) of 341.4 million euros, a 22.6% increase.
The U.S. accounted for 61% of its revenue last year, a share Di Francesco said was expected to rise to 65% in 2026.
(Editing by Gavin Jones and Mark Potter)
Key Takeaways
- •Strait of Hormuz turmoil has prompted Kedrion to reroute immunoglobulin deliveries to Iran over land, raising logistics costs amid rising fuel prices
- •Recent Middle East conflict—marked by US–Israel operations and Iranian escalation—has largely halted commercial shipping through the Strait, significantly impacting global supply chains
- •Kedrion’s strong 2025 financial performance (€1.65 billion revenue, 22.6 % EBITDA growth) underpins its resilience, though sustained logistical instability could hinder its ability to serve vulnerable patients
Frequently Asked Questions about Kedrion warns MidEast conflict may disrupt plasma supplies to Iran
1Why is Kedrion warning about plasma supply disruptions to Iran?
Kedrion is warning that ongoing conflict near the Strait of Hormuz may disrupt shipping routes, affecting the delivery of vital plasma-based medicines to Iran.
2How is Kedrion currently delivering plasma-based medicines to Iran?
Due to shipping disruptions, Kedrion has been moving immunoglobulins to Iran by land, which is increasing logistics costs.
3Has Kedrion experienced any significant impact on its plasma supply to Iran?
So far, Kedrion has not experienced significant effects on its ability to deliver therapies to patients in Iran.
4Who controls Kedrion and what is its recent financial performance?
Kedrion is controlled by Permira with a 63.2% stake and reported 1.65 billion euros in revenue in 2025, a 4.5% increase from 2024.
5Where does Kedrion collect most of its plasma, and what percentage of revenue comes from the US?
Most of Kedrion’s plasma is collected in the U.S., which accounted for 61% of its revenue last year, expected to rise to 65% in 2026.
