>> What's the biggest roadblock to the development of artificial blood? <<
doc,
For some context on blood substitutes/oxygen therapeutics and some of the roadblocks facing them, go to the FDA website, fda.gov , hit "Search" and plug in "blood substitutes" - you'll get the links to lengthy transcripts of an FDA workshop last October on the appropriate criteria for FDA approval of substances to replace/supplement the oxygen carrying function of blood.
The workshop discussion has given pause to some who are attracted by the immense market opportunity awaiting a stable blood substitute that can be stored for long periods without refrigeration and administered without blood typing (and unlike ALLP's Oxygent, administered without an oxygen tent or other special facilities).
(I used to own Somatogen, taken over by BAX [nothing much heard of the second-generation molecule's development inside BAX - first one dropped in favor of #2]; have affirmatively passed on NFLD [product made from outdated human blood, hence supply problems, contamination issues]; now hold a modest position in BPUR [product made from bovine blood from "controlled herds" - probably workable - still manufacturing issues, costs]; and have no up-to-date view on ALLP's prospects, except to note as above the limitations on the product's usefulness, even if approved.)
You might see also NFLD's 10-K and BPUR's 10-K and S-1, on Edgar or 10-K wizard or wherever. (I personally always feel I'm in the presence of politicians and hype when I read NFLD's prose, but maybe I'm oversensitive.)
-- RCM |
