Multifunctional Blood Substitute

The US Navy seeks to commercialize through patent licensing a pharmaceutical to replace blood volume, promote tissue oxygenation, and encourage clotting in patients suffering from severe blood loss in pre-hospital emergencies. The US Naval Medical Research Center is developing a multifunctional blood substitute product capable of enhancing survivability of patients with severe blood loss. The technology combines a procoagulation factor such as recombinant Factor VIIa and a polymerized hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC), and can also comprise pharmacological interventions. Factor VIIa has been approved by the FDA for hemostatic indications and HBOCS address hypotensive or low volume resuscitation and may maximize the benefits of fluid replacement . Additional pharmacological interventions may include platelet membranes, anti-inflammatory agents and nitric oxide donors. Trauma is the leading cause of mortality among young adults and causes significant disability among survivors. Hemorrhage accounts for most civilian deaths and about one-third of combat deaths. Current pre-hospital interventions such as crystalloids and colloids have a significant, but inadequate, effect on survivability. This US Navy intervention aims at higher survivability and does not require refrigeration like whole blood. The US Navy has done animal studies and is seeking a partner to help develop, lead clinical trials and commercialize the technology. US patent application 2007/026519 has published and a PCT has been filed for foreign coverage. Patent-licensing and Collaborative Research and Development (CRADA) opportunities are available. Benefits More Effective: Combination of HBOC and procoagulation factor more closely mimics the life-saving characteristics of real whole blood Shelf-Stable: Product has fewer storage restrictions than traditional blood products Portable: Fewer storage restrictions means the product can be utilized in the field and in transit