HbV-101

HbV-101 is an artificial oxygen carrier, often referred to as an artificial red blood cell, developed to address the urgent need for blood transfusions in emergency settings. It consists of highly concentrated human hemoglobin purified from outdated red blood cells, which is then encapsulated within phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) to mimic the structure and function of natural erythrocytes. This encapsulation prevents the toxic side effects associated with free hemoglobin, such as nephrotoxicity and vasoconstriction. HbV-101 is designed to be blood-type independent, virus-free, and stable for long-term storage at room temperature, making it a critical candidate for trauma care, disaster medicine, and situations where donor blood is scarce. The development is led by researchers at Nara Medical University and Waseda University, with significant support from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Other names

Hemoglobin vesiclesArtificial red blood cells