Laboratory produced red blood cells are set to be transfused into humans by 2017, NHS Blood and Transplant has announced. The landmark in-man clinical trials of manufactured blood form a key part of the blood and organ service’s 2020 Research and Development programme.
Dr Nick Watkins, NHS Blood and Transplant assistant director of research and development said: “Scientists across the globe have been investigating for a number of years how to manufacture red blood cells to offer an alternative to donated blood to treat patients. We are confident that by 2017 our team will be ready to carry out the first early phase clinical trials in human volunteers. These trials will compare manufactured cells with donated blood. The intention is not to replace blood donation but provide specialist treatment for specific patient groups.”
The manufactured red cell trials form part of NHSBT’s work in regenerative medicine. Scientists from NHS Blood and Transplant and the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford – led by Prof Dave Anstee and Dr Ashley Toye – are using stem cells from adult and umbilical cord blood to create alternatives to donated blood. Previous work in this area has been enabled by Wellcome Trust funding.
