# Transfusion Medicine * **Definition:** A medical specialty that focuses on the transfusion of blood and blood components, including the management of blood banks. * **Taxonomy:** Specialties / Transfusion Medicine ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Transfusion Medicine**, for healthcare technology leaders * 735 news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/6/2025 | [**QuidelOrtho Corporation (QDEL)**](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/QDEL/press-releases/) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 5/5/2025 | [**Trading Away Tomorrow's Cures**](https://www.mddionline.com/business/trading-away-tomorrow-s-cures) | [[MDDI]] | | 3/26/2025 | [**access to care**](https://medcitynews.com/tag/access-to-care/) | [[MedCity News]] | | 1/22/2025 | [**AI model predicts blood transfusion needs in ICU patients - News-Medical**](https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250122/AI-model-predicts-blood-transfusion-needs-in-ICU-patients.aspx) | [[News Medical Net]] | | 12/31/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho to Present at the 43rd Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/quidelortho-present-43rd-annual-j-120000197.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 12/18/2024 | [**Blood Community Unites to Thank America's Volunteer Blood Donors Ahead of National Blood Donor Month in January**](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/18/2999251/0/en/Blood-Community-Unites-to-Thank-America-s-Volunteer-Blood-Donors-Ahead-of-National-Blood-Donor-Month-in-January.html) | [[Globe Newswire]] | | 12/17/2024 | [**Health IT Appointments**](https://www.healthitanswers.net/health-it-appointments-hires-121724/) | [[Health IT Answers]] | | 12/8/2024 | [**Vertex Presents Positive Long-Term Data On CASGEVY™ (exagamglogene autotemcel) at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition and Provides Program Update**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206536804/en/Vertex-Presents-Positive-Long-Term-Data-On-CASGEVY%E2%84%A2-exagamglogene-autotemcel-at-the-American-Society-of-Hematology-ASH-Annual-Meeting-and-Exposition-and-Provides-Program-Update/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 11/19/2024 | [**GigaGen Doses First Patient in Phase 1 Trial of Recombinant Polyclonal Drug Candidate, GIGA-2339, for Hepatitis B Virus**](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/11/19/2983574/0/en/GigaGen-Doses-First-Patient-in-Phase-1-Trial-of-Recombinant-Polyclonal-Drug-Candidate-GIGA-2339-for-Hepatitis-B-Virus.html) | [[Globe Newswire]] | | 11/7/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241107504430/en/QuidelOrtho-Reports-Third-Quarter-2024-Financial-Results/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/29/2024 | [**Grifols Receives FDA Approval to Treat Surgical Bleeding in Pediatric Patients With its Fibrin Sealant Solution**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/grifols-receives-fda-approval-treat-120000309.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 10/16/2024 | [**Versiti teams with Velico and participates in Velico's Blood Center Education Program - PR Newswire**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/versiti-teams-with-velico-and-participates-in-velicos-blood-center-education-program-302277762.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**CareDx Appoints Jing Huang Chief Data and AI Officer**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009918561/en/CareDx-Appoints-Jing-Huang-Chief-Data-and-AI-Officer/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Announces New R&D Executive Leader**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009251239/en/QuidelOrtho-Announces-New-RD-Executive-Leader/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Announces New R&D Executive Leader**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009251239/en/QuidelOrtho-Announces-New-RD-Executive-Leader/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**CareDx Appoints Jing Huang Chief Data and AI Officer**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009918561/en/CareDx-Appoints-Jing-Huang-Chief-Data-and-AI-Officer/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Announces New R&D Executive Leader - Business Wire**](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241009251239/en/QuidelOrtho-Announces-New-RD-Executive-Leader) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/9/2024 | [**CareDx Appoints Jing Huang Chief Data and AI Officer - Business Wire**](https://www.businesswire.com/news/siliconvalley/20241009918561/en) | [[Business Wire]] | | 10/8/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Announces New Rve Leader**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/quidelortho-announces-r-d-executive-110000013.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 10/6/2024 | [**Satellite Symposium Addresses the Role of Advanced Multiplex Molecular Testing in ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/satellite-symposium-addresses-role-advanced-130000550.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 10/5/2024 | [**Satellite Symposium Addresses The Role of Advanced Multiplex Molecular Testing in ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/satellite-symposium-addresses-role-advanced-233000740.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 9/30/2024 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2824134) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 9/10/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Appoints Lee Bowman as Chief Human Resources Officer**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240910545042/en/QuidelOrtho-Appoints-Lee-Bowman-as-Chief-Human-Resources-Officer/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | | 9/10/2024 | [**QuidelOrtho Appoints Lee Bowman as Chief Human Resources Officer**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240910545042/en/QuidelOrtho-Appoints-Lee-Bowman-as-Chief-Human-Resources-Officer/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-Q-tiwWZwkcswR1UZtV7eGe24xL9TZOyQUMS3J72mJlQ7fxFuNFTHSunhvli30RlBNXya2izy9YOgHlBiZQk2LOzmn6JePCpHPCiYGaEx4DL1Rq8pNwkf3AarimpDzQGuQ==) | [[Business Wire]] | | 9/4/2024 | [**Avivo Biomedical Inc. Appoints Rob Carroll MD as Chief Medical Officer**](http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240904247126/en/Avivo-Biomedical-Inc.-Appoints-Rob-Carroll-MD-as-Chief-Medical-Officer/?feedref=JjAwJuNHiystnCoBq_hl-RLXHJgazfQJNuOVHefdHP-D8R-QU5o2AvY8bhI9uvWSD8DYIYv4TIC1g1u0AKcacnnViVjtb72bOP4-4nHK5ieT3WxPE8m_kWI77F87CseT) | [[Business Wire]] | ## Specialty Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **Versiti Blood Center**: A blood center that plays a crucial role in blood donation and transfusion medicine, emphasizing the need for blood donations. - **University of Colorado School of Medicine**: Investigated the biological factors affecting red blood cell storage and transfusion outcomes. - **NHS Blood and Transplant**: The organization responsible for blood donation and transfusion services in the UK, currently facing challenges due to increased demand. - **MD Anderson Cancer Center**: Enhanced transfusion safety through its hemovigilance unit established after a patient death related to a blood transfusion. - **Avivo Biomedical Inc.**: A company innovating in blood type conversion technologies to enhance organ transplantation and transfusion processes. - **ImpactLife**: A nonprofit blood provider that focuses on blood donation and transfusion services, emphasizing innovation in transfusion medicine and cellular therapy. - **ArtBlood**: A company collaborating on large-scale production of in vitro red blood cells to improve blood product availability. - **University of Pittsburgh**: Conducted significant research on hemoglobin thresholds for transfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction. - **Becton Dickinson and Co.**: A leading global medical technology company that develops and manufactures medical devices, instrument systems, and reagents, including those used in transfusion medicine. - **hc1**: A company that enhances patient health through personalized diagnostic lab testing and optimized blood transfusion management. - **GVS S.p.A**: A company that has strengthened its position in transfusion medicine through the acquisition of Haemonetics' whole blood business. - **America's Blood Centers**: A network of nonprofit blood centers that collaborates to promote blood donation and improve transfusion practices. - **Siemens AG**: A major player in healthcare technology, offering diagnostic imaging and laboratory diagnostics, including solutions for transfusion medicine. - **Terumo Corporation**: A medical technology company that has launched a venture capital fund to invest in healthcare technologies, including those related to transfusion medicine. - **Bio Rad Laboratories Inc.**: A global leader in life science research and clinical diagnostics, providing products and services for blood typing and transfusion practices. - **Versiti**: A nonprofit organization focused on blood health, providing blood products and services, and emphasizing the importance of blood donation. - **Vertex and CRISPR Therapeutics**: Companies involved in gene therapy, specifically for treating transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. - **QuidelOrtho Corporation**: A leader in in vitro diagnostics, specializing in immunoassay and molecular testing, including products for transfusion medicine. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **ArtBlood and Expression Manufacturing**: Collaborating on large-scale production of in vitro red blood cells to enhance efficiency and scalability. - **ImpactLife**: Engages in partnerships for pre-hospital transfusions and invests in cellular therapy to enhance patient care and advance medical practices. - **Scandinavian Collaboration**: Developed a method using microbial enzymes to convert A and B blood types into universally compatible O-type blood, addressing blood supply shortages. - **Fresenius Kabi and AABB**: They have announced the 19th annual Blood Collectors Week to honor blood collection professionals, recognizing their essential roles in maintaining the blood supply. - **America's Blood Centers, AABB, and the American Red Cross**: Collaborating to promote blood donation during National Blood Donor Month. - **NICE and Vertex**: NICE recommended Vertex's gene therapy for treating transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia. - **ICCBBA**: Recognized organizations in Africa for innovative projects aimed at improving patient safety and blood accessibility. - **Velico and Versiti**: Velico's Blood Center Education Program (BCEP) allows Versiti to evaluate and provide feedback on Velico's FrontlineODP™ system, aimed at improving plasma availability. - **Brooks Automation and Lifeblood**: Brooks Automation has been appointed as an official vendor for Lifeblood, the Australian Red Cross organization responsible for blood supply, enhancing automation solutions in blood banks. - **CareDx, Inc.**: A precision medicine company specializing in transplant patient solutions, hosting an Investor Day to discuss advancements in transplant care. - **Bridge to Life and Medica S.p.A.**: Acquisition of the VitaSmart™ system to advance organ preservation technology. - **The Michael J. Fox Foundation**: Collaborated with Grifols to identify plasma-based biomarkers for early detection of Parkinson's disease. - **Medavera, Inc.**: Developed a program for IDWeek 2024 focusing on multiplex molecular assays in infectious diseases, supported by QuidelOrtho. - **University of Pittsburgh and the U.S. Department of Defense**: Partnering on the LITES Network to improve trauma care and emergency treatment for trauma patients. - **Qventus**: Developed the Perioperative Care Coordination solution in collaboration with leading healthcare systems to improve patient care. - **Vertex Pharmaceuticals**: Works with reimbursement authorities to ensure sustainable access to its gene-edited therapy, CASGEVY, in multiple countries. - **CareDx and AI Initiatives**: CareDx appointed Jing Huang as Chief Data and AI Officer to lead data science initiatives, focusing on integrating AI into healthcare solutions. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Microbial Enzymes in Blood Transfusion**: Integration of microbial enzymes to create universal blood types, enhancing transfusion practices. - **Advanced Blood Testing Technologies**: Emerging technologies aimed at improving blood collection, processing, and transfusion practices. - **Avivo's Blood Type Conversion Technology**: Innovative technology aimed at converting blood types to the universal donor type, enhancing patient care in transfusions. - **Molecular Immunohematology Techniques**: Increasing adoption of molecular techniques for blood typing is a key trend, improving the precision of transfusion practices. - **FlowScore**: A new method to assess the oxygen delivery capability of red blood cells, improving transfusion practices. - **Prehospital Whole Blood Administration**: A focus area for trauma care to improve outcomes in uncontrolled bleeding situations. - **ImpactLife's 50th Anniversary**: Celebrated significant achievements in blood donation, with over 220,000 donations registered in 2024, contributing to advancements in transfusion medicine. - **Hypovolemic Phlebotomy**: A technique shown to reduce the need for blood transfusions during liver surgeries by safely managing blood loss. - **Hemovigilance Unit at MD Anderson**: A program established to enhance patient safety in blood transfusions, utilizing real-time monitoring systems. - **Patient Blood Management (PBM)**: An approach gaining recognition for conserving blood supplies and improving surgical outcomes. - **Liver Perfusion Machine**: A new technology that maintains liver viability outside the body, allowing for quality checks before transplantation. - **AI in Transfusion Medicine**: Researchers at Emory University developed an AI model to predict blood transfusion needs in non-traumatic ICU patients, achieving high accuracy. - **Emergency Blood Donation Appeals**: Organizations like Versiti and Vitalant are actively appealing for blood donations due to critical shortages, particularly for O-positive and O-negative blood types. - **Terumo Ventures**: A new corporate venture capital fund with a focus on investing $75 million in healthcare technologies, including those that enhance transfusion medicine. - **Luspatercept**: A therapy shown to effectively treat anemia in patients post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, reducing transfusion dependence. - **Synthetic Blood Development**: A team at Penn State is developing a synthetic blood substitute called Nano-RBC to address blood shortages in trauma care. - **INTERCEPT Blood System**: The only pathogen reduction system with both CE mark and FDA approval for platelets and plasma, enhancing blood safety. - **Clinisys WinPath System**: Implemented in Northern Ireland's Blood Transfusion Service to enhance efficiency and safety in pathology services. - **Blood Market Growth**: The global blood market is expanding due to rising demand for blood components for chronic conditions like leukemia and anemia. ### Challenges and Concerns - **Transfusion Thresholds**: Ongoing debates regarding optimal hemoglobin thresholds for transfusion in various patient populations. - **Safety in Blood Transfusions**: The need for improved safety measures in transfusion medicine highlighted by the establishment of hemovigilance units following adverse incidents. - **Transfusion Safety**: MD Anderson's hemovigilance unit was established to address safety concerns following a patient death related to blood transfusion. - **Risks Associated with Blood Transfusions**: Ongoing concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of blood transfusions, despite advancements in technology. - **Blood Supply Shortages**: The ongoing challenge of ensuring adequate blood supplies for transfusions, particularly in emergency and surgical settings. - **Adverse Events in Transfusion**: A study revealed that blood transfusion reactions accounted for 0.5% of adverse events in surgical patients, highlighting the need for improved safety measures. - **Gender Disparities in Transfusion**: Research indicates that women are less likely to receive whole blood transfusions compared to men, highlighting a need for equitable medical practices. - **Unnecessary Transfusions**: Studies suggest up to 55% of transfusions may be unnecessary, posing risks to patients. - **Blood Donation Shortages**: Versiti Blood Center's emergency appeal for blood donations due to critically low supply levels, particularly for O-positive and O-negative types. - **Blood Supply Challenges**: The blood market faces challenges in ensuring adequate supply for medical emergencies and the need for continuous innovation in blood collection technologies. - **Blood Shortages**: Versiti Blood Center declared an emergency due to critical blood shortages, impacting patient care and leading to postponed surgeries. - **Blood Donation Limitations**: High-income countries disproportionately collect blood donations, impacting global blood supply. - **Low Reimbursement Rates**: Low reimbursement rates for blood components pose financial challenges for blood centers, impacting their ability to maintain adequate supplies. - **Blood Donation Rates**: Only 3% of Americans donate blood, leading to a critical need for increased awareness and community engagement in blood donation. - **High Maintenance Costs**: The immunohematology market faces challenges such as high maintenance costs for equipment, which can hinder the adoption of new technologies. - **Communication Failures in Healthcare**: Issues in communication during patient transfers can lead to medication errors and impact patient safety. - **Compliance with Guidelines**: Despite recommendations, many eligible patients do not receive treatments like tranexamic acid.