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Development and Commercialisation of PVC- DEHP Free Blood Packs To Ensure Appropriate Control Of Red Cells

Project description

DEHP-free blood bags

Blood transfusion is a routine yet life-saving medical procedure involving the delivery of blood to a patient from a donor. However, blood bags are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) with adverse effects on both our health and on the environment after disposal. The key objective of the EU-funded ACORN-BP initiative is to develop a blood pack system that is free of PVC and DEHP but which enables the red cells, following separation, to be stored for up to 42 days. This will allow blood processing centres to maintain current practices while removing the potential adverse effects of DEHP. Following accreditation, the ACORN-BP system will be commercialised to directly replace existing blood bags.

Objective

Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Currently, all commercially available blood bags are manufactured using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and a plasticizer called Di (2-ethylyhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP). DEHP is classified as a reproductive toxin and is listed in the Reach candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). DEHP-PVC bags are affecting our environment and our health adversely.

1. Through this 24 months FTI project Ducit Medical, Ireland along with our development partners Global Polymer Consulting, Ireland , Keifel Technologies Germany and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Scotland are developing a complete blood pack system ‘ACORN-BP’ which is PVC and DEHP free, thereby, reducing the threat posed by DEHP and which has no detrimental effect on the storage of red blood cells up to 42 days storage stability in-line with European Council guidelines.

Once developed and accredited, ACORN-BP will be commercialised as a direct replacement of PVC-DEHP bags. Using the direct sales force model, we will target capturing 10.9% of the global PVC-DEHP blood pack market through a cumulative sales of <27million blood bags. This will generate cumulative revenues of >€216 million in the first five years, with a cumulative net profit of ~€65.60 million across the consortium. The ROI against total project costs of €3.53 million is ~18:1.

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Topic(s)

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IA - Innovation action

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-FTI-2018-2020

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Coordinator

GLOBAL POLYMER CONSULTING LIMITED
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 538 026,13
Address
PARKGARVE BALLINVOHER CO GALWAY
H65XT85 TURLOUGHMORE
Ireland

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Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 768 608,75

Participants (3)

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