| Microparticles as a Treatment Method for Bleeding Disorders |
| Microparticles (MP) derived from blood can be administered to a patient to help stop bleeding and decrease blood clotting time. This would be important in cases involving internal bleeding, trauma, surgery, and chemotherapy, where the patient’s own blood prior to treatment could be banked for later use. |
| This technology addresses a critical need because of the endless need, and short supply, of blood and its products. The market for a platelet substitute product is significant. It is estimated that over 10,000,000 units of platelets were transfused in the United States last year at an average cost of $50 per unit, which equates to an a market potential of $500 million annually. |
| At present, no synthetic microparticles or blood cells have emerged as being clinically useful. In addition, since the patient’s own blood can be used, the risk of acquiring infectious agents from an external blood supply is decreased substantially. |
| Wenche Jy, Joaquin Jimenez, Lawrence Horstman, Yeon Ahn, and Eugene Ahn |
