Blood and Blood Products

The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) is a member-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy of the United States. Its mission encompasses enhancing manufacturing, healthcare, and education and workforce development, aiming to create a scalable and effective manufacturing ecosystem for engineered cells, tissues, and organs.

Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.

Qidni Labs is a NATO DIANA company recognized by Fast Company as a 2025 World Changing Idea. The company has developed a portable, nearly waterless hemodialysis system that will make treatment accessible for over 10 million patients every year.

VirTech Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company based in Natick, Massachusetts, focused on developing a human-derived hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) for use as a temporary blood substitute in trauma and transplantation. The company leverages expertise in hemoglobin polymerization to address critical needs in emergency medicine and organ preservation, with a pipeline also targeting veterinary and research applications. Process innovations allow scalable and contract-based manufacturing, supported by significant non-dilutive funding from the US Department of Defense and private investment.

Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.

BioPharma Connections is an independent, woman-owned consulting firm founded in San Francisco in 2007, providing strategic business development, technical operations, regulatory, product development, and commercialization support to the life sciences industry. Serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and diagnostic companies globally, the firm specializes in facilitating connections between organizations, service providers, CROs, CDMOs, and investors—guiding clients from concept to commercialization, with deep expertise in regulatory compliance, emerging technologies, and diverse therapeutic areas.

The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.

ATCC is a nonprofit biological resource center, with a nearly century-long legacy supporting public health, biodefense, and global health security. ATCC provides critical infrastructure for infectious disease research and CBR threat response. Our biorepository operations support federal agencies, academia, and industry through secure specimen handling, reagent authentication, and global distribution. ATCC manages over 22 million vials under federal contracts, including repositories for NIAID, CDC, BARDA, NCI, FDA, and USDA. These programs enable rapid deployment of validated biological materials for vaccine development, diagnostic assay verification, and therapeutic screening against high-consequence pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. Certified under ISO 9001, 13485, 17025, and 17034, ATCC ensures quality, traceability, and regulatory compliance across its operations. Our high-containment laboratories (BSL-2 and BSL-3, with access to BSL-4 through partners) and Select Agent license position us to support MTEC-aligned efforts in emerging infectious diseases and medical countermeasure development for CBRN threats.

The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.

Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.

Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Vivosang Inc is an investigational stage biotechnology company focused on developing pegylated human hemoglobin products to enhance oxygen delivery in medical applications, particularly in traumatic hemorrhagic injuries. Their lead product, VS-101, aims to provide targeted oxygen delivery to tissues in need, addressing significant medical needs in emergency and surgical settings.

Cellphire Therapeutics' vision is that no-one should die from controllable hemorrhage. In the US, hemorrhage remains a leading cause of preventable death for those under 45. For this reason, we need new products with improved hemostatic efficacy and ensure they are in the hands of clinicians when they are needed. The extremely short shelf-life – 7 days max – of platelets used as the standard of care Liquid Stored Platelets (LSP) gives rise to an inability to create an inventory buffer to address any increase in demand, particularly mass casualty events, military conflicts or significant hemorrhage situations such as post-partum hemorrhage and traumatic injury. This means: 1) Platelet rationing occurs across the system. 2) Nearly 400,000 platelet units a year expire before they can get to a patient in need. 3) Ten million Americans on anti-platelet or anticoagulant medications face greater risks when effective therapies aren’t available to clinicians, complicating surgery and trauma care.

Machina Medical is dedicated to revolutionizing wound and hemostatic care technology. We aim to save lives and limbs by providing innovative solutions for controlling blood loss and wound care management. Our flagship product, MFUSE, is designed to address the critical need for rapid and effective bleeding control in combat, trauma, and surgical settings. Our breakthrough adhesive technology enables rapid, robust, and on-demand detachable adhesion to bleeding wounds that fundamentally addresses the limitations of the conventional hemostatic mechanism.

Blood Centers of America (BCA) is the largest blood supply network in the United States, comprising over 60 independent community blood centers that collectively distribute approximately 50% of the nation's blood supply. BCA supports member organizations through supply chain solutions, donor recruitment, advocacy, disaster response, and purchasing power. In addition to providing whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, plasma, cells, and tissues for therapeutic, diagnostic, research, and advanced therapy applications, BCA and its network are engaged in the development and delivery of advanced therapies including cell and gene therapy starting materials, processing, and manufacturing. BCA actively mobilizes resources in response to national emergencies, pandemics, and technological advances in donor experience and biotherapeutics.

Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology company focused on the repair, regeneration, and replacement of soft and hard tissue. The company aims to restore people's bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. With a commitment to medical education and improving patient outcomes, Smith+Nephew operates in over 100 countries and is dedicated to sustainability and community health. Their purpose is to promote health and wellbeing, not just through their products but also by ensuring a positive impact on society and the environment. Smith+Nephew is also committed to increasing diversity within the medical device industry through initiatives like the Orthopaedics for All global advisory board.