Revolutionizing Blood Supply: How This Startup Aims to Grow Blood in the Lab

The Blood Shortage Crisis

Last month, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after its national supply fell by more than 25% in July. This shortage poses serious challenges for patients as doctors face tough decisions on who needs blood transfusions most. The Red Cross, which collects and distributes about 40% of the U.S.' blood supply, is actively imploring more people to donate.

Introducing Safi Biotherapeutics

Enter Safi Biotherapeutics, a government-backed startup aiming to change the narrative. Led by CEO Doug McConnell, Safi is on a mission to manufacture inexpensive red blood cells at scale, potentially alleviating the reliance on blood donations.

Lab-Grown Blood: The Future?

While scientists have made strides in growing red blood cells from stem cells, the process remains costly and complex, yielding only small quantities. For instance, a recent U.K. clinical trial successfully transfused about one or two teaspoons of lab-grown blood. Safi aims to scale this technology to produce large quantities for commercial use, thereby addressing blood shortages.

"People have tried, but the technology has evolved and we see this path now," McConnell stated.

Funding and Regulatory Hurdles

Safi has secured over $16 million from the U.S. Department of Defense and anticipates that total funding could exceed $20 million by year-end. The company also received an additional $5 million in seed funding led by J2 Ventures. However, the FDA has yet to approve Safi's technology, and the company faces years of rigorous testing to ensure the safety and functionality of their blood cells.

Innovative Production Process

Safi collaborates with the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) to refine its production process. The journey begins with progenitor cells from bone marrow, which are then converted into red blood cells. McConnell likens the process to preparing a stew, requiring the right ingredients and precise techniques to optimize efficiency.

Cost and Production Goals

Currently, Safi can produce one unit of blood for under $2,000, aiming to reduce costs to between $300 and $500 per unit, comparable to donor blood prices. With plans to scale production to over 1 million units annually, McConnell envisions a future where a single stem cell donation could yield hundreds of blood bags.

The Road Ahead

Safi's first product launch is projected to be six to seven years away, with an initial target of 100,000 units in the launch year. McConnell emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable blood supply chain, stating, "It's kind of crazy that we're still tolerating this. Honestly, one of the solutions is... to build our own supply chain."