Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

  The artificial blood is created by extracting hemoglobin — a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells — from expired donor blood. It is then encased in a protective shell to create stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells. As these artificial cells have no blood type, there is no need for compatibility testing.

Blood-derived synthetic. Still cool, but continues to require a pool of donors.

Re: Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

#6

Post by Terr_ » Mon, Jun 02, 2025, 10:45 PM UTC

yeknoda wrote: post #3

-2.5% to US GDP

Explaining the joke: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/30/why-blood-makes-up-over-2poi...

That said, I'm sure I recently saw some blog-post about how the 2-2.5% amounts are significantly overblown because that's counting export-categories of products can sometimes contain human blood derivatives as an ingredient, rather than straight-up RBCs/plasma.

Hmmm, nothing yet on a quick Google search, but that doesn't mean as much these days...

Re: Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

#7

Post by rockfishroll » Mon, Jun 02, 2025, 10:46 PM UTC

Biopure was a company doing something similar in the US. They imploded in the early 2000s, but they had created an "oxygen therapeutic" (blood substitute) by isolating hemoglobin based oxygen carrying molecules FROM COW BLOOD!

The fact that they weren't using whole red blood cells meant the product was typeless, room temp stable, and better at perfusing around arterial blockages and into tissue since the molecules were so small.

Unfortunately, the company was kind of a mess. They managed to get licensed for sale in South Africa, and in the US for the veterinary product, but never managed FDA approval. It's a shame. Everyone could see the promise of the product, and it really actually worked, but they just couldn't seem to make the business viable.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biopure

Edit: When I say they imploded, I really mean it. They got prosecuted for misleading statements to investors about the state of US clinical trials, and the legal proceedings became farcical.

"On March 11, 2009 [Senior VP] Howard Richman pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court and admitted he had instructed his lawyers to tell a judge he was gravely ill with colon cancer. He also admitted to posing as his doctor in a phone call with his lawyer so that she would tell the judge that his cancer had spread and that he was undergoing chemotherapy."

That guys was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Here's hoping this new blood substitute has a happier outcome!

Re: Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

#8

Post by taberiand » Mon, Jun 02, 2025, 10:46 PM UTC

0cf8612b2e1e wrote: post #5

The artificial blood is created by extracting hemoglobin — a protein containing iron that facilitates the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells — from expired donor blood. It is then encased in a protective shell to create stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells. As these artificial cells have no blood type, there is no need for compatibility testing. Blood-derived synthetic. Still cool, but continues to…

My understanding is a huge issue with blood donation is expiry, and therefore the need for consistent year-round donation - when a disaster occurs there's often a spike in donations but the surplus gets thrown away. A mechanism that can make use of expired blood that works for all blood types and extends the shelf life seems extremely valuable.

Re: Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

#9

Post by drjasonharrison » Mon, Jun 02, 2025, 10:56 PM UTC

BobbyTables2 wrote: post #4

Blood donation organizations hate this one trick!

LOL. The the artificial blood is made by extracting the hemoglobin from expired blood, that is blood donated more than 42 days ago.

Re: Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types

#10

Post by energywut » Mon, Jun 02, 2025, 11:31 PM UTC

Interesting to see. There's been some other efforts in this space, from blood products derived to chemically derived (e.g. perflurocarbons, which carry many multiples of what hemoglobin can carry, oxygen-wise).

There's definitely a need for a safe, shelf stable blood substitute.

Though, I'd argue that this isn't artificial blood, it's artificially replacing only the oxygen carrying role of blood -- there's nothing in this product that is producing clotting, fighting disease, managing hormones, fueling cells, etc. Still, excited to see this progress, transfusions are still a risky bet, and having something that can provide at least the O2 capacity in a safer package is very welcome.