HEMOPHILIA AND ADVANCED FIBRIN SEALANT TECHNOLOGIES

Fibrin sealant, which consists mainly of fibrinogen and thrombin, prov ides rapid haemostasis as well as tissue sealing and adhesion. Commerc ial, viral-inactivated products are available in Europe, Canada, and J apan. Liquid fibrin sealant (LFS) has been used clinically in haemophi liacs to perform dental procedures, orthopedic surgeries, non-orthopae dic surgeries, and circumcisions. LFS use is expected to increase as c ommercial products will soon be available in the US. Recombinant sourc es and transgenic animal bioreactor systems will replace plasma-derive d products and become the predominant sources for this product in the next decade. Other areas of innovation include the development of fibr in sealant bandages or dressings, expandable foams, and spray powders which will provide the haemophiliac the ability to rapidly attain cont rol of traumatic haemorrhages prior to hospital treatment with a signi ficant reduction in the use of IV clotting factors. Fibrin sealant pro ducts have the potential to provide life-saving control of haemorrhage , reduction in factor dependency, lower viral exposure risk, and medic al care cost reduction.