Severe hemorrhage remains a major priority in military and civilian emergency care. The University of Colorado Anschutz has announced a DARPA award of up to $120 million over three years to evaluate emerging treatments and diagnostics through the RAPIID program, including oxygen carriers.
Two priorities must be addressed together: controlling blood loss and maintaining or restoring oxygenation of organs and tissues.
During active bleeding, resuscitation must balance sufficient organ perfusion with avoiding excessive fluid loading and unnecessary increases in blood pressure. The appropriate balance depends on the injury and the patient.
BHOC, Biological Hemoglobin Oxygen Carrier, focuses on oxygen delivery within Precision Oxygen Therapeutics. Its development objective is to support tissue oxygenation through plasma-phase oxygen transport and diffusion, using small infusion volumes under reduced-perfusion conditions.
Additionally, research addresses tissue protection during tourniquet-associated ischemia, where a perfusion pathway allows the oxygen carrier to reach the affected tissue. The objective is to limit ischemic injury and protect limb function.