Any biologists here - I have a question about synthetic blood

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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Just wondering what you think the chances of success are of this company:

SYBD

They have a blood substitute that's in phase I clinical testing.

Just picked up 11,000 shares @ 0.46.
 

NogginBoink

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Feb 17, 2002
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There are a couple of companies that have been working on this for years.

I think first to market is going to win, and win big.

Unfortunately, I can't find the other 2 companies I know of that are in this race as well. At least one company has FDA approval for blood substitutes in veterinary applications. Or had, anyway.

Ah... here is a good start...
 

Riprorin

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Apr 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: Vaerilis
Synthetic haemoglobin?
This will not happen tomorrow.

It's not a blood substitute, per se. Here's more info on a study using the SYBD material (perfluorocarbon based):

Neither PFC emulsions or isolated, purified hemoglobin based products are blood substitutes relative to the myriad functions of blood. They can replace lost volume, and more importantly, can act as a temporary carrier of blood gases including oxygen. Hemoglobin, in vivo or in isolated, purified form, has a fixed capacity to carry oxygen. In addition, oxygen is bound to hemoglobin, and only about 20-30% is off-loaded at the tissue level under the right physiological conditions. In contrast, the oxygen carrying capacity of PFC emulsions can be maximized by increasing the oxygen concentration inspired by the patient. This study showed that, despite a significant blood loss-associated reduction in hemoglobin levels, blood in animals transfused with Oxycyte carried significantly more arterial oxygen when the animals breathed 100% oxygen compared to room air animals. Other studies have shown that extraction of dissolved oxygen from PFC emulsions exceeds 90%, and is more than twice as rapid as oxygen extraction from hemoglobin. Those physiological properties, as well as a small emulsion particle size compared to the size of RBC?s, lay the theoretical basis for more effective oxygen delivery through the microcirculation by Oxycyte compared to blood or hemoglobin products.

 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
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It's interesting, but doubtful it will really make big headlines. If it's viable I would expect to see it show up in hospitals.

This kind of stuff is way over Joe Public's head and most likely would cause hysteria more than applaud.

Å
 

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
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Originally posted by: alkemyst
It's interesting, but doubtful it will really make big headlines. If it's viable I would expect to see it show up in hospitals.

This kind of stuff is way over Joe Public's head and most likely would cause hysteria more than applaud.

Å

With blood born pathogens being so prevalent?

The blood supply is dwindling.



 

tcsenter

Lifer
Sep 7, 2001
18,954
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Short term volume replacement and oxygen exchanging capacity is all they're looking to accomplish. Something that can be given short term when blood isn't available or in short supply (hours not days). The underlying science is sound, it just hasn't been done successfully yet, though not for lack of trying. A Japanese company spent GOBS of money trying to develop a blood substitute a while back. Others have been dabbling in it.

A product such as this would never replace our current system of blood donation and supply, so its potential is rather limited. Blood is still vastly superior and nothing has come remotely close to simulating the real thing. When a person loses significant amounts of blood, they lose far more than just hemoglobin and fluid volume. There are many blood and plasma sub-components that are lost as well; platelets, clotting factors, proteins, enzymes, etc.

A blood 'substitute' would be used secondarily to shore-up blood shortages. The reason a product like this was approved for veterinary use is because the veterinary field had no adequate primary blood supply system, making anything a better option than nothing.

There is nothing undesirable or inferior about the current system, if we could just convince more people that an hour out of their life every six months is something worthwhile.
 

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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From the SYBD website:

Critical shortages of donor blood (estimated to be as much as 4 million units in the United States by 2030) combined with increased risk of disease transmission (most notably HIV and hepatitis C) has created a worldwide need for suitable blood replacement fluids. While as many as 90 million units of blood are collected annually throughout the world, the supply in less-developed countries is woefully inadequate. The global market for blood substitutes is estimated to reach $5 billion.

Overstatement???
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
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my uncle is ceo of a company who is growing skin. i think they are in the process of testing, and then getting approved. o yea, hes been retired for a while now too lol and gets to play golf with some professionals cuz they live across the street. I just need to figure out what company it is now.

MIKE
 

ClueLis

Platinum Member
Jul 2, 2003
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Originally posted by: Squisher
Originally posted by: alkemyst
It's interesting, but doubtful it will really make big headlines. If it's viable I would expect to see it show up in hospitals.

This kind of stuff is way over Joe Public's head and most likely would cause hysteria more than applaud.

Å

With blood born pathogens being so prevalent?

The blood supply is dwindling.

The problem is the emotional reaction many will have. There are people who believe that transfusions are wrong, and my guess is that far more will not like the idea of replacing human blood with a synthetic substance.

I will be thoroughly impressed if an appropriate chemical that transports oxygen in the same way at the same temperatures as hemoglobin is found, as it seems a very daunting task.
 

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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The first dosing trial in phase I went okay. The second dosing trial will start next week, I believe. If everything goes well, phase II should commence in the 1 QT of next year.

I'm taking a flyer. If they are succesful, I'll make big $'s. If not, I'm out $5k.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
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Originally posted by: ClueLis
Originally posted by: Squisher
Originally posted by: alkemyst
It's interesting, but doubtful it will really make big headlines. If it's viable I would expect to see it show up in hospitals.

This kind of stuff is way over Joe Public's head and most likely would cause hysteria more than applaud.

Å

With blood born pathogens being so prevalent?

The blood supply is dwindling.

The problem is the emotional reaction many will have. There are people who believe that transfusions are wrong, and my guess is that far more will not like the idea of replacing human blood with a synthetic substance.

I will be thoroughly impressed if an appropriate chemical that transports oxygen in the same way at the same temperatures as hemoglobin is found, as it seems a very daunting task.
That's an interesting topic for a thread <transfusions are wrong>...
 

Babbles

Diamond Member
Jan 4, 2001
8,253
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I think the military has been using this stuff for the past few years on a trial basis. Essentially the type of environment that this product would be the most desirable.

So, until it becomes developed enough for mainstream use, GO DONATE BLOOD!
 

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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I used to donate blood at every blood drive at work. I can't donate anymore because I've spent more than 6 months in Europe in the last 10 years.