More Dr Drees
Prospector
February 5, 1998
COW'S BLOOD FOR CANNINES?
A recent (1/31/98) Associated Press release had a headline "FDA OKs Artificial Blood for Dogs; it Could also Aid Humans."
This is another in a long line of PR from Biopure. They make their Oxyglobin from cows' blood, but the veterinary market is very small. We presume that they have passed animal safety trials and are trying to make it into a big event. At least four other companies have to done this, but none of them have presumed to make such a big announcement about it.
We checked this veterinary market some years ago and found little interest by vets. A 64 dogs study is a very poor one, bio-statistically.
Biopure gets their red blood cells from cows and such problems as Mad Cow Disease and Bovine AIDS all or not mentioned. Oxyglobin's side effects, such as urine discoloration, overly expanded blood vessels and vomiting, were never seen in the first generation of Sanguines synthetic blood development, PHER-02.
Biopure has a long and troubled history with this product. Upjohn joined them in a strategic alliance at the behest of Dr. C. Everett Koop, U.S. Surgeon General, and then dropped out when Biopure tests failed miserably.
Biopure then did a few human trials in Guatemala, followed by a press conference about their trials in Washington, DC Biopure was trying to pressure the FDA, but got laughed out of DC Because of it.
Thomas C. Drees Ph.D.
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