South Texas Blood & Tissue becomes first US Civilian Center to install FrontlineODP™

Velico Inc. launched a groundbreaking collaboration with South Texas Blood & Tissue (STB&T), a subsidiary of San Antonio-based nonprofit BioBridge Global and a recognized leader in prehospital transfusion, in January 2023. And now, STB&T has made history as the first U.S. civilian blood center to install Velico’s FrontlineODP™ System for spray drying human plasma as part of Velico’s Blood Center Education Program (BCEP).

Through its participation in BCEP, STB&T gains early access to Velico’s innovative FrontlineODP™ Spray Dried Plasma System, providing the opportunity for hands-on experience in evaluating its potential integration into routine blood component production. STB&T will also deliver valuable feedback on the system’s commissioning process and operational performance.

The FrontlineODP™ System produces “on demand” spray dried plasma, an innovative solution for transfusion in environments where conventional plasma products (often frozen) are unavailable or logistically challenging to use. Velico’s proprietary spray drying manufacturing process creates a powdered plasma product that is stable at ambient temperature, can be reconstituted with sterile water and ready for transfusion in approximately 2 ½ minutes. This technology is anticipated to transform accessibility of plasma for transfusion benefiting:

• First responders, including ground and air ambulances.
• Rural hospitals, which typically lack plasma inventory.
• Military needs, including austere deployment and battlefield applications.
• Mass casualty events, where stockpiled plasma inventories will provide rapid access.

Richard Meehan, President and CEO of Velico Medical, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with STB&T on the BCEP program. Meehan highlighted that this partnership is poised to deliver critical insights for advancing best practices, supporting preparedness for the future commercial launch of the FrontlineODP™ Spray Dried Plasma System, and ensuring customers are equipped for manufacturing readiness. "FrontlineODP™ has the potential to be a transformative, life-saving solution for emergency medical providers, with the capability to save thousands of lives annually," said Meehan.

“Participating in the BCEP program provides us the opportunity to continue our history of firsts in serving our community and raising the standards for blood administration in our region and across the country” says Audra Taylor, Vice President of Blood Operations, South Texas Blood & Tissue and former Chief, Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) Division for the Defense Health Agency. “Once available, I fully expect that FrontlineODP™ will enable us to provide lifesaving plasma to many EMS and emergency medical providers currently unable to carry conventional blood products due to logistical challenges and product availability.”