Next‐generation blood products: Results of a survey on interest, indications, drivers, and barriers to adoption

BACKGROUND: Next generation blood products (NGBPs), specifically dried plasma/platelets/cryoprecipitate/fibrinogen concentrate, and frozen platelets, can alleviate the strain on the blood supply due to their advantages of ease of transport and storage, reduced overall cost, and decreased wastage. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A working group within the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies developed a survey to determine the level of interest, potential indications, drivers, and barriers to the implementation of these NGBPs. RESULTS: Among the 125 respondents, familiarity with these products was low (57% dried plasma, 43% dried cryoprecipitate/fibrinogen concentrate, 38% frozen platelets, and 23% dried platelets). Respondents were most interested in dried plasma and least interested in dried cryoprecipitate/fibrinogen concentrate. The setting in which NGBPs would be used were the emergency room (71%), surgery (62%), when conventional products are unavailable (51%), pre-hospital (36%), obstetrics (30%), oncology (25%), and other (12%). The largest driver of interest in NGBPs is to reduce wastage, while the smallest is a reduction in cold chain requirements. The largest perceived barrier to onboarding NGBPs is cost, while the smallest is inventory management. Most respondents were not willing to pay the same cost as they would for conventional products (51%). The majority (85%) of respondents believe the products would be adjuncts. DISCUSSION: The low familiarity with NGBPs is likely due to the lack of broad regulatory licensing of these products. Cost, clinical value, and health economic considerations will be key to implementing these products.