From MIT Technology Review · · 2m
US military’s race to make fake blood
DARPA aims to create shelf-stable synthetic blood by 2029 to save lives in combat zones.
In brief
DARPA aims to create shelf-stable synthetic blood by 2029 to save lives in combat zones. DARPA’s RAPIID program seeks to develop synthetic blood components that last longer than natural blood, potentially saving lives in battlefield emergencies by 2029. Originally reported by MIT Technology Review.
Morphine 1-2 helicopter crash
In February 2007, a military helicopter carrying wounded soldiers was shot down in Baghdad, killing all seven crew members.
“It was getting blood and bringing it back. It was [on] what we call a ‘blood run,’ and [it’s] the highest of priorities besides casualty evacuation”
Blood shortage crisis
Military and civilian blood shortages cause 10,000 preventable US deaths yearly and millions globally.
“A study published in Transfusion in 2: 2025 found that of 1.2 million trauma patients in the United States who potentially needed blood before reaching a hospital, just 1% received it.”
Blood storage challenges
Whole blood lasts 35 days when refrigerated, but platelets spoil within days and red blood cells require freezing.
“Hospitals and the military freeze the red blood cells that carry oxygen, as well as the protein-rich plasma that restores volume and aids coagulation. Once thawed, though, both will spoil within days.”
36-minute survival window
A JAMA study suggests 36 minutes is the critical window for blood transfusion after injury to prevent death.
“If something is survivable, and generally we classify most all hemorrhage as survivable, [you’re] almost guaranteed to survive if you get the blood before that 36-minute mark”
DARPA’s RAPIID program
DARPA’s $73 million RAPIID program aims to create shelf-stable synthetic blood components by 2029.
“Its goal is to create shelf-stable versions of the three major transfusion constituents: plasma, platelets, and red blood cells.”
FSHARP program
DARPA’s FSHARP program, launched in 2023, tested synthetic blood components in animals with promising results.
“FSHARP furthered that work, helping fund studies on how the HBOC interacted with plasma and platelets.”
ErythroMer synthetic plasma
KaloCyte’s ErythroMer uses freeze-dried hemoglobin to create synthetic plasma that lasts two years.
“Using a well-understood process called lyophilization, similar to one that World War II, era scientists used with plasma, the team freeze-dries its product to store at room temperature, where it can remain stable for two years.”
SynthoPlate synthetic platelets
SynthoPlate mimics natural platelets with peptides that stick to blood vessels and help clot.
“The first version has three: One binds to a chemical called von Willebrand factor, which helps platelets stick to the walls of injured blood vessels; another attaches to collagen, which acts as a scaffold for regrowing cells; and the third mimics a blood protein called fibrinogen.”
Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers
Hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) were tested in the 1990s but caused heart attacks and deaths in clinical trials.
“One, named HemAssist, consisted of hemoglobin subunits linked together to avoid the rapid-breakdown problem. It had the added benefit of lasting roughly a year in cold storage (red blood cells last about 40 days), but it didn’t solve the nitric oxide problem, so it constricted blood vessels.”
Blood pharming challenges
Lab-grown blood cells are expensive and require refrigeration, making them impractical for field use.
“DARPA launched a pharming initiative in 2008, using stem cells from discarded umbilical-cord blood, but was unable to get the cost below tens of thousands of dollars per unit of red blood cells.”
Okinawa blood bank vulnerability
A single blood bank on Okinawa serves 27,000 Marines and could be destroyed by a missile strike.
“The blood center is right next to the hospital, which is about 200 meters from all of the satellite communications on that island.”
2018 National Defense Strategy
The 2018 National Defense Strategy shifted military focus to potential ground wars with China or Russia.
“DARPA then got serious once again about making fake blood and kicked off the FSHARP program in 2023.”
RAPIID timeline
RAPIID aims to deploy synthetic blood components by 2029 after three years of testing.
“The second and third years will focus on human trials, overseen by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.”
FDA regulatory hurdles
Synthetic blood products must pass FDA animal studies before human trials.
“Each contractee working on blood components has only one year of guaranteed funding.”
Potential risks of synthetic blood
Synthetic blood products may interact poorly with each other or cause heart attacks.
“They need to make a very concerted effort to take what they’ve already developed and push it through to approval through the FDA”
2029 deadline
DARPA aims to deliver synthetic blood components to the field by 2029.
“Even if FSHARP failed, “we should invest 50 million more dollars in it and do it again.””
What it means
DARPA’s RAPIID program seeks to develop synthetic blood components that last longer than natural blood, potentially saving lives in battlefield emergencies by 2029.
