Manufacture of buffy coat-derived platelet concentrates from three buffy coats

Organisation: Welsh Blood Service

Lead researcher: Chloe George

Grant amount: 23,800 EUR

About
Platelets are essential for blood clotting. The Welsh Blood Service (WBS) produces platelets in two forms: apheresis (single donor) and pooled (four random donors). To increase availability and reduce waste, WBS proposes optimizing platelet yields by producing pooled platelet components derived from three BC. Automated separation devices have improved the manufacturing process and increased platelet concentration. If successful, this project would benefit the wider community by increasing platelet availability, improving service resilience, and promoting greater flexibility in whole blood collection management.

Project duration: 01 2023 / 12-2024

Project Aims
The objective of this study is to manufacture PCs using three buffy coats in order to optimize platelet yield and volume, and compare them against the specifications outlined in the Guidelines for UK Transfusion Services and the Council of Europe Guidelines. Additionally, we aim to determine the in vitro storage characteristics of these components and compare them to buffy coat platelet pools.

Outcomes
The potential benefit of this method is that it can reduce the number of buffy coats required per pooled platelet component while still producing a high-quality component for therapeutic use. This can allow more stock to be available and improve the ability of the service to cope with increases in demand or pressures in manufacturing/collection. Additionally, this method could lead to a leaner manufacturing process, making it faster. Finally, it also enables greater flexibility in the management of whole blood collection plans.