Bioenergy, Inc. and former Mayo Clinic hematologist announce joint venture to develop products that extend life of blood platelets.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2001

New products will minimize number of patient transfusions

and improve the quality of the blood supply

Nearly 14 million units of whole blood are donated each year so that 1.5 million patients may receive platelet transfusions needed to initiate blood clotting and control bleeding after surgery or during cancer treatment. But, platelets for transfusion are only viable for a few days, significantly reducing their effectiveness when transfused, and leaving hospitals in chronic short supply.

That challenge was the catalyst for the formation of ViaCyte, LLC, a new company focusing on products extending the life and viability of blood platelets and other cells for transplant or transfusion.

ViaCyte is being created by Bioenergy, Inc. -- a Minneapolis-based biotechnology company created in 1995 and specializing in Bioenergy Ribose(TM)-based products that improve cardiovascular, skeletal muscle and tissue function -- and Dr. Daniel Ericson, a former Mayo Clinic hematologist. They expect their products to improve platelet supply and potentially save lives, while also saving hospitals a substantial amount of money and lowering the cost of transfusions for patients.

An "exciting breakthrough"

Clarence Johnson, CEO of Bioenergy, Inc., also will serve as CEO of ViaCyte. "Research to date has shown the application of Bioenergy Ribose-based technologies to blood platelets provides a significant benefit by maintaining their viability and function during storage," he points out. "The outcome is a higher percentage of active platelets in each transfusion, leading to fewer overall transfusions."

He adds: "This is an exciting breakthrough that should have a direct effect on clinical outcome and help address the world's shortage of blood and platelets."

Bioenergy Ribose is a simple five-carbon monosaccharide used by all living human cells and found to be an essential compound in the production of cellular energy. It acts as a preservative agent for platelets, slowing the aging process during storage.

Dr. Daniel Ericson, a former staff member at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., will serve as ViaCyte's chief technology officer.

"The ribose-based product we have developed significantly enhances the function of blood platelets for transfusion," he notes. "This marks the beginning of extended ribose-based research. We're very excited by the prospects of discovering and applying ribose technologies to improve blood components for transplant and transfusion."

He goes on to explain: "About 14 million units of whole blood are donated in the United States each year, and these units are transfused to about 4 million patients." Whole blood is comprised of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets suspended in blood plasma. Because recipients seldom require all of the components of whole blood, it is the usual practice in blood banks to separate the blood into components and transfuse only that portion the patients need for a specific condition or disease.

Very high metabolic rates

The challenge, Dr. Ericson points out, is that platelet storage poses problems not found in the storage of whole blood, red blood cells or plasma.

"Platelets," he notes, "must be stored at room temperature to help maintain their function and, as such, have very high metabolic rates. Those stored containing previously known storage solutions lose function by undergoing spontaneous activation. At the end of their five day storage period a very small percentage, on the order of 5 percent, of the platelets are functional."

By contrast, the refrigerated shelf life of whole blood or red blood cells exceeds 40 days.

ViaCyte has developed a product for storing platelets that includes D-ribose in optimal concentrations to keep platelets in their resting state during storage, to control spontaneous activation and to have more viable cells available at the time of transfusion.

"Studies show that platelets stored in our ViaCyte solution retained activity of greater than 90 percent after five days of storage and greater than 80 percent activity after seven days of storage," says Dr. Ericson. "Another advantage of adding ViaCyte solution to stored platelets is the inhibition of harmful bacterial growth."

Dr. Ericson adds: "ViaCyte is eager to apply these new technologies to improve the longevity and viability of the world's blood supply."

Bioenergy, Inc. is a privately held company engaged in the research, manufacture and global commercialization of ribose-based technologies. Bioenergy has 16 issued or pending patents on ribose applications. The company, founded by Dr. John Foker, a cardiovascular surgeon and ribose-research pioneer, is committed to advancing the use of ribose technologies to improve cardiovascular function, muscle energy recovery and athletic performance. Bioenergy markets its products to the nutritional supplement, food and pharmaceutical industries.