April 28, 2026
HJF met with a team from the Air Force’s 59th Medical Wing Chief Scientist’s (59MDW/ST) Office, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, and Naval Medical Research Unit – San Antonio to explore the state of the science for freeze-drying red blood cells (RBCs) and to discuss the development of a shelf- stable, commercially viable, affordable, and effective freeze-RBC product to treat trauma patients who experience significant blood loss at the point of injury.
Through HJF’s Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the 59MDW/ST, HJF supported the one-day summit held at VelocityTX in San Antonio by connecting stakeholders, coordinating and organizing the event, as well as documenting the robust discussions surrounding the need and requirement for oxygen-carrying blood products that can be administered without cold chain management. The event included participation from military organizations that use, manage, and distribute blood products, as well as organizations that conduct research and development of advanced blood products for the military to improve survivability and patient outcomes. The primary goal of the summit was to spur creation of a freeze-dried RBC commercial product for military and civilian use in under five years that is viable, affordable, oxygen carrying, safer, and shelf-stable.
In addition to the robust scientific discussions held, the group also learned more about alternate options to encourage efficient product development including feasibility of prize competitions to incentivize teams composed of industry, academia, and others to rapidly develop commercially-viable medical products and capabilities for the military with sources other than government funding investments.
“HJF recognizes the critical importance of developing commercially available and effective freeze-dried RBCs,” said HJF Senior Director of Operations Amber Mallory, Ph.D. “This is not only relevant to HJF’s mission of advancing military medicine, but also vital to saving lives of countless service members who desperately require these blood products when they are on the battlefield. In addition to benefitting our troops, freeze dried RBCs will be instrumental for the civilian sector, particularly those in rural environments or for use in disaster situations, so we understand the urgent need for rapid development of these types of products.”
The summit provided a forum for businesses and academia to share information and the state-of-the-science on current efforts to lyophilize RBCs and further strategies for developing medical products like free dried red blood cells. It also enabled the military to share its insights, experiences, and expert knowledge with businesses and academia regarding the critical need to optimize blood products in austere locations.
Following the summit, HJF will assist with creating a formal publication of the proceedings. This document can be used for alternative mechanisms for incentivizing the private sector to rapidly develop better blood products.