SYNTHETIC BLOOD ANNOUNCES POSITIVE RESULTS FROM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY STUDY

Synthetic Blood International has announced that study data suggest that its proprietary perfluorocarbon blood substitute and therapeutic oxygen carrier Oxycyte improves cognitive recovery following traumatic brain injury in a fluid percussion injury model, a widely accepted rat model that simulates moderate head injury with prolonged cognitive deficits sustained in humans. Cognitive recovery was determined by performance in a standard water maze test. Synthetic Blood plans to initiate a Phase II proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety and biological effects of Oxycyte in patients with traumatic brain injury.

In the study, rats administered Oxycyte at 4.5ml/kg and 9.0ml/kg dose levels showed significantly better performance in a water maze test and had fewer dying neurons in the brain than control animals treated with a saline solution. Additionally, the group receiving Oxycyte at the higher dose maintained mean arterial blood pressure at a relatively higher level, which could indicate a further improvement in the cerebral blood flow after traumatic brain injury.