, an RTP startup focused on blood coagulation and related technologies, will work with the U.S. Navy to develop a form of dried blood plasma for long-term storage and rapid reconstitution.
The company, which utilizes technology developed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University, recently received Food and Drug Administration approval for one of its wound treatment products – a bandage that promotes blood clotting.
Also under development is Resusix, a concentrated human plasma that is dried for long-term storage. Entregion hopes to launch clinical trials next year.
Entegrion and the Navy, which have worked on projects in the past, want to develop a dried blood plasma storage and administration prototype over the next six months. The “unit” will include dried plasma and saline, which would be the fluid to reconstitute the plasma as liquid.
If successful, the package would help overcome difficulties in storing blood and blood products, according to the company. The plasma packages would be used for rapid transfusion to severely wounded patients.
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Entegrion focuses on therapeutics to limit bleeding that results from combat as well as other trauma, surgery and disease. Entegrion was formed as Hemocellular Therapeutics in 2002.
“Entegrion is honored by the Navy’s confidence in our experience toward improving the stability and availability of blood and blood components, wherever they are needed,” said Entegrion Chief Executive Officer Stan Eskridge.
The company is privately held and closed on $3.7 million in venture financing in October 2007.
