Current haemoglobin-based products
Below is a list of some of the current leading haemoglobin (Hb)-based products in developmental clinical trials. The source of Hb for each of the products is different, which will affect their success and public acceptability if they pass clinical trials.

For information concerning the companies responsible for the manufacture of these products please use the links provided, which will take you to the respective homepage of the company.
Product Company Company Link Source Clinical trial level Application
HemopureTM Biopure Corporation, Cambridge, USA Polymerised bovine Hb Approved for use in South Africa 2001 Clinical use to treat acute anaemia and as alternative to donated blood in transfusion
HemolinkTM Hemosol Incorporated, Toronto, Canada Cross-linked human Hb Phase III trials completed Application for use during cardiac surgery filed to regulatory authorities
HemospanTM Sangart Incorporated, San Diego, USA Conjugated human Hb Phase Ib/II initiated in Sweden 2003 Trials underway in orthopaedic surgery
OptroTM Baxter
International,
Deerfield, USA
 Cross-linked Hb from genetically modified E. coli bacteria Phase II trials completed Trials completed in patients undergoing surgery in 1999

 

Hemopure is one of the biggest success stories in blood substitute technology to date. Its licence for use (held by Tshepo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, South Africa) in South Africa, where the well-known HIV virus is common among adults, should help prevent the spread of the virus via blood transfusion. HemopureTM clinical use in Western Europe and the USA is, however, unlikely as a result of public concerns over the possibility of BSE transmission. Another product based on bovine haemoglobin that has shown some promising results in clinical trials is a so called 'zero-link' substitute.

Hemolink has recently had a setback after its application for a biological liscense was refused by authorities in the US.

Optro and Hemospan (also known as MP4) are much more recent products, which have so far been promising in clinical and animal trials.

For further particulars please use the links provided for the companies developing these products.

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