Novel Resuscitative Fluid to Treat Hemorrhage

In animal studies, a plant-derived preparation has demonstrated the potential to treat severe hemorrhage such as occurs in trauma and other emergency medicine situations. The preparation, called HemoMax, is designed to achieve maximal oxygen delivery to tissues deprived of a blood supply without the use of, or minimal reliance on so-called oxygen carriers. The developers also believe there are potential applications for HemoMax as an anti-drag agent, which would include the treatment of ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

HemoMax was developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Center for Artificial Organ Development (UP, PA, USA). Founded in 1992, the center's initial focus was on developing a safe, reliable, and affordable artificial heart. In addition, clinicians and researchers are actively working to develop other artificial organs, including lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, and blood.

The McGowan Center recently licensed the HemoMax technology to a new company called HemoMax LLC, which will develop the technology for commercial use together with Alteon Inc. (Ramsey, NJ, USA). Alteon will manage the preclinical development of compounds.

HemoMax provides natural or artificial blood with superior fluid properties, so that it can easily slide into the far reaches of the capillary system, said HemoMax's lead researcher, Marina Kameneva, Ph.D., associate professor of surgery at UP's School of Medicine.