Perfusion Medical, a startup spun out of Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Air Force to further develop PM-208, a novel treatment for massive blood loss injuries. This funding brings the total military support for Perfusion Medical to $7 million since 2023.
Addressing Ischemic Reperfusion Injuries
PM-208 was invented by Dr. Martin J. Mangino, a professor at the VCU School of Medicine, who has spent his career researching ischemic reperfusion injuries. These injuries occur when tissues are deprived of oxygen following medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, and trauma. Current treatments for massive blood loss, such as saline or blood transfusions, do not address the underlying issue of constricted capillaries that cause ischemic reperfusion injuries.
"The mechanisms are poorly understood," Mangino says. "That's why we can't treat it clinically very well."
Mechanism of Action
PM-208 is an intravenous infusion of polyethylene glycol (PEG), a cell impermeant that draws water out of cells and into capillaries, preventing ischemic injury. The polyethylene glycol polymer in PM-208 has a larger molecular weight than GoLYTELY, a common colonoscopy prep, and has shown significant improvements in survival rates in animal models of massive blood loss.
"It worked geometrically better than anything else that we tried," Mangino stated, highlighting the superior efficacy observed in preclinical studies.
Path to Clinical Trials
Gerard Eldering, CEO of Perfusion Medical, anticipates Phase 1 clinical trials to begin in early 2025. The company is working closely with the FDA to advance PM-208 through the approval process. The innovation was recognized early by Ivelina Metcheva, assistant vice president for innovation at VCU, who noted the significant unmet need that PM-208 addresses.
With Phase 1 trials on the horizon, PM-208 represents a promising advancement in the treatment of massive blood loss and ischemic reperfusion injuries, potentially revolutionizing care for trauma patients and others facing critical blood loss situations.
