C2I 2018: Universal Plasma aims to transform transfusion

Collaborate to Innovate 2018

Category: Healthcare & Medical  

Winner: Universal Plasma

Partners: NIRI, NHSBT, Macopharma

Our winner in the healthcare & medical category combines textiles and chemistry innovation in a project that could transform transfusion services and help save lives. Now known as Universal Plasma and spearheaded by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the project began life as Sanguis, a collaboration led by Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute (NIRI), a Leeds-based company that develops innovative textiles products and prototypes for a variety of sectors. Working in partnership with biomed company Macopharma and NHSBT, NIRI developed a new type of filter that removes ABO antibodies from donated human plasma, creating universal plasma (UP) that can be used to treat anyone. NHSBT is now leading the next phase of the project, testing to ensure the filter meets the clinical requirements and patent safety, while Macopharma and NIRI are exploring how the technology can be scaled for commercialisation.

Ordinarily, a patient’s blood group must match that of the donor in order for blood and plasma transfusions to be carried out safely. If the wrong type of plasma is given to a patient, the conflicting antibodies can cause haemolysis (rupture of red blood cells) which can result in death. Group AB plasma can be given to anyone, but just four per cent of the UK population has this blood type, meaning its supply is constantly under pressure.