The medical world is currently witnessing a groundbreaking innovation with the potential to save millions of lives: universal artificial blood.
This research is led by Professor Hiromi Sakai from Nara Medical University in Japan and has now entered the human clinical trial phase.
If proven safe and effective, this technology could offer a permanent solution to the ongoing global blood supply crisis—particularly during emergencies.
What Is Universal Artificial Blood?
The artificial blood being developed by Professor Sakai’s team is not merely a replica of regular blood. This product consists of synthetic red blood cells made from hemoglobin—the oxygen-carrying molecule found in human blood—extracted from expired donor blood.
The hemoglobin is then encapsulated within a protective lipid membrane, forming stable, virus-free "hemoglobin vesicles" that lack blood type markers.
This means the artificial blood can be used for all blood types, eliminating the need for compatibility matching, as required in conventional blood transfusions. This is especially beneficial in emergency situations where time is critical, and matching blood types can cause dangerous delays.
Advantages Over Conventional Donor Blood
One of the major challenges in modern medicine is the limited supply of blood, particularly O-negative blood, which is known as the “universal donor.” This type of blood is essential in emergency care but is scarce and has a short shelf life—only 42 days under refrigerated storage.
The artificial blood developed in Japan presents a solution: it can be stored for up to two years, even without the need for extreme refrigeration like conventional blood. On a global scale—especially in remote regions or developing countries with limited healthcare infrastructure—this could be a lifesaving breakthrough.
In addition, artificial blood reduces transfusion-related risks such as infections, immune reactions, and blood type incompatibility—all of which have long been significant challenges in transfusion medicine.
Clinical Trials Begin: A Step Toward Realization
In March 2025, Nara Medical University launched the initial phase of clinical trials involving 16 healthy adult volunteers. Each participant received between 100 to 400 milliliters of the artificial blood. The trial aims to observe potential side effects, assess safety, and evaluate the artificial blood’s ability to transport oxygen, similar to natural red blood cells.
Previously, in a 2022 preclinical study, the hemoglobin vesicle technology demonstrated promising results in oxygen delivery. Some participants experienced mild side effects such as fever and rashes, but all symptoms subsided quickly without serious complications.
If this clinical trial proves successful and shows no severe adverse effects, the goal is to begin widespread practical use by 2030. Japan could become the first country in the world to utilize artificial blood for real medical applications.
A New Hope for Global Healthcare Systems
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 118 million units of blood are donated annually. However, 40% of these donations come from high-income countries, which represent only 16% of the global population.
This imbalance makes it difficult for many low-income countries to secure sufficient blood supplies, especially for maternal care, trauma patients, and major surgeries.
Universal artificial blood could prove invaluable in such situations. Hospitals, field clinics, and even ambulances could store blood without concerns about compatibility or strict temperature requirements. This would enable patients in remote areas to receive life-saving transfusions whenever needed.
