CaridianBCT, Inc. (CaridianBCT), a company developing products for enhancing the world’s blood quality, safety and supply, has announced it has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the US Department of Defense (DoD) Deployment Related Medical Research Program (DRMRP). Previously announced as the grant recipient, CaridianBCT will receive funding from the DRMRP to allow for the next phase of development for the Mirasol Pathogen Reduction Technology (PRT) System, designed with the goal of improving the safety of whole blood for transfusions in trauma cases.
“We are pleased to support CaridianBCT in their work to make whole blood safer,” said Navy Captain E. Melissa Kaime, Director of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, DoD. “It is a top priority for the DoD to ensure the safety of blood products used in transfusions for our military personnel injured in combat. The development of a transportable system to treat whole blood and reduce the risks associated with blood-borne pathogens and donor white cells has the potential to protect the lives of soldiers fighting for our country.”
The Mirasol PRT system is a proprietary technology that uses riboflavin and UV light to reduce the levels of infectious pathogens and inactivate white cells from collected blood, improving the safety of transfused blood. The award will allow for the next phase in development to evaluate the treatment of whole blood, which is based on the same technology of treating platelets and plasma products in the Mirasol PRT system (currently CE Marked and available for commercial use in Europe, the Middle East and Africa). The Mirasol PRT system is not available for sale in the US.
“US Army Surgeons have found that using fresh whole blood demonstrates a significant advantage and outcome for soldiers receiving medical care,” said David Perez, president and chief executive officer of CaridianBCT. “This innovative technology has the potential to introduce a new standard of care for both military and civilian surgeons and transfusion medicine specialists seeking to support patients with traumatic blood loss. We look forward to continuing our work with the DoD to achieve our mission of improving the safety of the world’s blood supply.”