Plasma Technologies of Charleston, S.C., signed an agreement with the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF) to develop a process to produce higher-yielding anti-COVID-19 immune serum for scale-up and manufacturing.
A higher yield hyperimmune serum would be an improvement over the current standard method. Plasma Technologies has developed and patented a novel plasma separation process, which results in higher yields of immunoglobulin and other plasma proteins.
This $750,000 award will provide the funding to establish a proof of concept of activities on a larger scale, demonstrating the potential for a greater supply of available convalescent plasma, which is plasma collected from a person who has recovered from a disease.
“Combating novel viruses requires novel solutions,” Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Douglas Bryce said. “Leveraging relationships with industry partners who are creating new technologies to fight biological agents of concern, like COVID-19, supports our warfighters facing these threats on the battlefield and improves overall public health outcomes. We are eager to determine if convalescent plasma and this innovative separation process will be valuable tools that can be used to enhance the nation’s COVID-19 response, through this cooperative agreement.”
This is part of an ongoing collaboration between DOD and the Department of Health and Human Services to improve access to the nation’s critical medical resources.