Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC Announces the World's First Human Liver Transplantation After Ex-Situ Normothermic Machine Perfusion Using Hemopure®

SOUDERTON, Pa., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC (HBO₂ Therapeutics) is the leading developer of hemoglobin based solutions that increase the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. The Company announced today the first human organ transplant of a previously rejected liver, reconditioned ex-situ with a warm perfusion solution oxygenated with Hemopure prior to transplantation.

The transplant was part of a pilot study in which donor livers considered unsuitable for transplantation are 'refurbished' in a perfusion machine. The donor liver was perfused with a special, cold Hemopure oxygenated perfusion solution, before being gradually warmed up to a temperature of 37 degrees to bring it 'back to life'. The donor liver regained its normal color and acidity and started to produce bile. Once it had been thoroughly tested for several hours outside the body, the liver was successfully transplanted into the patient.

Professor Robert J. Porte, Chief of HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation at University Medical Center Groningen performed the transplant procedure. Dr. Porte commented that in addition to this being the first successful transplantation of a normothermically perfused liver in the Netherlands, this was also the first ever-clinical application of a hemoglobin-based solution for ex situ warm machine perfusion of a human donor liver.  Dr. Porte went on to add: "This is an important step forward in the implementation of machine perfusion technology in Transplantation Medicine, which can help us to increase the number of organs for transplantation. It indicates we can preserve and test human organs at body temperature without the need for human blood products."

In a joint statement Zafiris Zafirelis and Gerald Kowalski, HBO₂ Therapeutics co-founders, President, and CEO respectively, said: "In addition to the existing applications for Hemopure, this significantly expands our overall market potential and leadership in the field of hemoglobin based solutions.

About Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC
Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC, headquartered in Souderton Pennsylvania, manufactures the oxygen carrying solutions Hemopure (hemoglobin glutamer - 250 (bovine) and Oxyglobin (hemoglobin glutamer - 200 (bovine), for human and veterinary use respectively. Hemopure is not approved by the FDA and classified as an investigational product in the US. Oxyglobin is FDA approved (NADA 141-067) for veterinary use to treat anemia in dogs. For more information please visit www.hbo2therapeutics.com

Contact:

HbO₂ Therapeutics LLC
Jerry Kowalski, CEO
[email protected]
Tel: +1 617 800 7215

SOURCE Hemoglobin Oxygen Therapeutics LLC