CSL Vifor
CSL Vifor is a global pharmaceutical business unit of CSL Limited that develops and markets iron deficiency and nephrology therapies across 100+ countries, serving specialists and dialysis networks through proprietary products, in-licensed assets, and a joint venture with Fresenius Medical Care.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersGlattbrugg, Switzerland
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CSL Vifor does
CSL Vifor is a global pharmaceutical business unit of CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), specializing in iron deficiency and nephrology therapies. Formed in August 2022 when CSL acquired Vifor Pharma for approximately $11 billion, the unit traces its heritage to 1872 in St. Gallen, Switzerland. It sells a focused portfolio including Ferinject/Injectafer (ferric carboxymaltose, approved in 87 countries), Venofer (iron sucrose, 85 countries), Maltofer (oral iron polymaltose, 76 countries), Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide, 50 countries), Mircera (long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent licensed from Roche), Retacrit (epoetin alfa biosimilar licensed from Pfizer), Veltassa (patiromer), Tavneos (avacopan), Korsuva/Kapruvia (difelikefalin), Rayaldee (prolonged-release calcifediol), and Filspari (sparsentan). The nephrology portfolio is co-developed and co-commercialized through the Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma joint company.
The business operates two principal therapeutic segments: iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia (addressing heart failure, chronic kidney disease, gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, patient blood management, and women's health), and nephrology (spanning all stages of kidney disease from preservation of renal function through dialysis complication management). Products are distributed through CSL Vifor's own sales organization in over 100 countries, supplemented by regional licensing and distribution partnerships (Otsuka in Canada, Kissei in Japan, CTS in the Middle East/Israel) and the Fresenius Medical Care joint venture, which supplies Mircera to over 6,500 dialysis clinics in the USA.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct pharmaceutical product sales and licensing royalties from in-licensed assets. Manufacturing is anchored at St. Gallen and Ettingen in Switzerland, with R&D laboratory operations in Schlieren. The company's go-to-market is enterprise field sales oriented toward specialists (nephrologists, hematologists, gastroenterologists) reinforced by participation in major medical congresses (ERA, ASN Kidney Week, NATA, EULAR, ESAIC) and a dedicated Science Hub for healthcare professionals. Strategic positioning rests on 150+ years of brand heritage in iron therapy, deep regulatory footprint across 50–87 countries per product, and structural access to the Fresenius dialysis channel.
CSL Vifor firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CSL Vifor
- Legal name
- CSL Limited
- Website
- https://viforpharma.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- CSL Vifor is a global pharmaceutical business unit of CSL Limited that develops and markets iron deficiency and nephrology therapies across 100+ countries, serving specialists and dialysis networks through proprietary products, in-licensed assets, and a joint venture with Fresenius Medical Care.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CSL Vifor industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Pharmaceuticals — Iron Deficiency and Nephrology
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG)
Keywords
Where CSL Vifor is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glattbrugg
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
CSL Vifor business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Product Sales: CSL Vifor generates revenue through manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products globally in iron deficiency and nephrology therapeutic areas. Products are distributed through their own sales organization and distribution partners across over 100 countries.
- Licensing Royalties: Revenue from licensing agreements including Mircera (licensed from F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG since 2015) and Retacrit (licensed from Pfizer, Inc., approved in USA since 2018). These arrangements provide royalty streams from partner commercialization.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
CSL Vifor product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CSL Vifor develops, manufactures and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia across heart failure, kidney disease, gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, patient blood management and women's health, as well as nephrology therapies covering the full spectrum of kidney disease. The company distributes these products globally, supplemented by in-licensed assets and a joint nephrology venture with Fresenius Medical Care.
Product overview
CSL Vifor is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in iron deficiency and nephrology therapies. The company operates across two primary therapeutic areas: Iron Deficiency (including iron deficiency anaemia) with products Ferinject®, Venofer®, and Maltofer®; and Nephrology with products including Veltassa®, Rayaldee®, Tavneos®, Mircera®, Retacrit®, Velphoro®, Korsuva®, and Filspari®. The company also partners with Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma for nephrology solutions. With a presence in over 100 countries, CSL Vifor focuses on strategic global partnering, in-licensing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing pharmaceutical products for precision healthcare.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ferinject: Ferric Carboxymaltose Intravenous Iron - for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia
- Injectafer
- Venofer
- Maltofer
- Veltassa
- Rayaldee
- Tavneos
- Mircera
- Retacrit
- Velphoro
- Korsuva
- Kapruvia
- Filspari
Products and services
- Ferinject / Injectafer (Ferric Carboxymaltose) Intravenous iron therapy for the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia across multiple therapeutic areas including heart failure, kidney disease, gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, patient blood management and women's health. Marketed as Ferinject internationally and as Injectafer in the USA; approved in 87 countries.
- Venofer (Iron Sucrose) Low-dose intravenous iron therapy for the treatment of iron deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease and other conditions. Approved in 85 countries.
- Maltofer (Oral Iron Polymaltose Complex) Oral iron therapy for the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. Approved in 76 countries.
- Veltassa (Patiromer) Potassium binder for the treatment of hyperkalemia in nephrology patients. Available in 16 countries.
- Rayaldee (Prolonged-release Calcifediol) Prolonged-release formulation of calcifediol for the management of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with chronic kidney disease. Launched in Germany and Switzerland.
- Tavneos (Avacopan) Oral elective inhibitor of C5aR1 for the treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis. Approved in EU, UK, Switzerland, Australia, UAE, Kuwait, and Israel; launched in major EU markets, Australia, Japan (via Kissei) and Canada (via Otsuka).
- Mircera (Methoxypolyethylene Glycol Epoetin Beta) Long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent licensed from F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG since 2015 for the treatment of anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease. Supplied to over 6,500 dialysis clinics in the USA and its territories.
- Retacrit (Epoetin Alfa-epbx) Epoetin alfa biosimilar licensed from Pfizer, Inc. and approved in the USA since 2018 for all indications of the reference drug epoetin alfa, used to treat anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease and chemotherapy.
- Velphoro (Sucroferric Oxyhydroxide) Iron-based phosphate binder for the management of hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients. Approved in 50 countries.
- Korsuva / Kapruvia (Difelikefalin) Peripherally restricted kappa opioid receptor agonist for the treatment of pruritus in dialysis patients. Approved in US, EU, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, UAE, Kuwait, Israel, and Singapore; launched in major EU markets, Germany, Austria, Sweden, France, UK, Canada, Australia, UAE, Kuwait and Israel.
- Filspari (Sparsentan) Dual endothelin-angiotensin receptor antagonist for the treatment of primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy. Approved in EU, UK, and Switzerland; launched in Germany, UK, Austria and Switzerland.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ferinject approved in 87 countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use CSL Vifor
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CSL Vifor technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
CSL Vifor partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.
- Pfizer, Inc.coreLicensed Retacrit (Epoetin Alfa-epbx) from Pfizer, approved in the USA since 2018 for all indications of its reference drug, epoetin alfa.
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche AGcoreLicensed Mircera (long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating agent) from Roche since 2015. The product is currently supplied to over 6,500 dialysis clinics in the USA and its territories.
- Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal PharmacoreJoint company partnership for nephrology products. Together with Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, CSL Vifor has a strong and rapidly growing presence in nephrology, committed to launching the next generation of therapies to address the full spectrum of kidney disease.
- Kissei PharmaceuticalregionalKissei distributes Tavneos (Avacopan) in Japan for treatment of ANCA-associated vasculitis.
- Otsuka PharmaceuticalregionalOtsuka distributes Tavneos in Canada and Korsuva (Difelikefalin) in Canada.
- CTS (Corporate Technology Solutions)regionalCTS distributes Korsuva (Difelikefalin) in Israel as part of the Middle East partnership.
- World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH)coreCSL has long participated in the WFH Humanitarian Aid Program to bring needed medicines to underserved parts of the world. CSL is also proud to support the WFH Path to Access to Care and Treatment (PACT) Program to advance diagnosis, enhance training and advocacy to improve national care. This aligns with CSL's commitment to improve access and equity for patients.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CSL Vifor competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GSK: Global pharma with rare disease, vaccines, and specialty therapeutics franchises overlapping with CSL Vifor's nephrology and iron deficiency focus. Comparable as a broad incumbent across specialty pharma distribution channels.
- Pfizer: Licensor of Retacrit (epoetin alfa biosimilar) to CSL Vifor and a global biopharmaceutical incumbent with significant nephrology and biosimilars portfolio. Comparable as a counterparty in CSL Vifor's licensing strategy and as a broad peer in renal anemia.
- Roche: Originator of Mircera (licensed to CSL Vifor) and a major nephrology and biologics player. Comparable as the licensor of a core CSL Vifor product and as a broader specialty pharma incumbent in nephrology.
- Amgen: Large biotech with established ESA franchise (Epogen/Aranesp) in the same nephrology anemia market CSL Vifor addresses via Mircera and Retacrit. Comparable as a specialty pharma incumbent in iron/ESA-adjacent nephrology therapeutics.
- Novartis: Major pharma with specialty and rare disease franchises, including cardiovascular and nephrology adjacencies. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same specialist prescriber audience in CKD and heart failure.
- Sanofi: Global pharma with rare disease and specialty therapeutics overlap to CSL Vifor's nephrology portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent with product adjacencies in iron deficiency and rare renal indications; co-founding supporter of WFH humanitarian programs.
Emerging players
- Akebia Therapeutics: U.S. biopharma focused on HIF-PHI inhibitors (vadadustat) for anemia in CKD, directly competing with CSL Vifor's ESA/iron franchise. Comparable as an emerging nephrology specialist targeting the same patient population.
- Ardelyx: Developer of tenapanor and other renal/cardio-renal therapies, with overlap in nephrology patient segments addressed by Veltassa and Velphoro. Comparable as a focused emerging player in CKD complications.
Direct peers
- Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma: Joint venture between CSL Vifor and Fresenius Medical Care focused exclusively on nephrology products. Comparable as the closest direct peer in nephrology since it shares CSL Vifor's portfolio strategy and channel access.
- Fresenius Medical Care: World's largest dialysis services and products company and CSL Vifor's joint venture partner in Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma. Closely comparable given shared nephrology focus, shared commercial channel into U.S. dialysis clinics, and overlapping patient populations.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CSL Vifor social profiles
Digital presenceCSL Vifor financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CSL Vifor leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CSL Vifor subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
CSL Vifor funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CSL Vifor M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CSL Vifor
What does CSL Vifor do?
CSL Vifor develops, manufactures and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia across heart failure, kidney disease, gastroenterology, inflammatory bowel disease, patient blood management and women's health, as well as nephrology therapies covering the full spectrum of kidney disease. The company distributes these products globally, supplemented by in-licensed assets and a joint nephrology venture with Fresenius Medical Care.
Is CSL Vifor a public or private company?
CSL Vifor is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CSL Vifor founded?
CSL Vifor was founded in 2022. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is CSL Vifor based?
CSL Vifor is headquartered in Glattbrugg, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does CSL Vifor make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are licensing Royalties.
Who are CSL Vifor's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GSK, Pfizer, Roche, Amgen, Novartis and Sanofi. Emerging players are Akebia Therapeutics and Ardelyx. Direct peers are Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma and Fresenius Medical Care.
Does CSL Vifor have an API?
No public API is recorded for CSL Vifor.
What industry is CSL Vifor in?
CSL Vifor's product category is Specialty Pharmaceuticals — Iron Deficiency and Nephrology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAG, Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its SIC code is 2834.