title: IPR and technological issues regarding a biopharmaceutical formulation hemoglobin.
abstract: Hemoglobin, the protein responsible for the red color of blood plays a very important part in 'life'- it transports oxygen, without which humans cannot survive. The idea of using purified Hemoglobin as a possible universal substitute for red blood cells has been around for almost a century. Hemoglobin formulations have important therapeutic applications, especially in case of trauma and war when requirements for blood may be very large. Manufacture of hemoglobin for use as a biopharmaceutical poses practical challenges, owing to dependence on human expired blood and fragility of the protein molecule. Biotechnology can play a critical role in breaking these barriers, by not only ensuring recombinant production of hemoglobin, but also enhancing stability of the molecule. The present article, based on a review of patents and available literature gives an insight into the IPR and technological issues involved in the commercial production of this 'life-saving' protein. There are more than 250 patents worldwide related to hemoglobin formulation, cross-linking and determination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, India.
authors.forename: Chandrashekhar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Honrao
authors.forename: Uttam C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Parikshit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bansal
mesh_terms: D001702:Biopharmaceutics / Q000639:trends*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D001802:Blood Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015195:Drug Design; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010330:Patents as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D001802:Blood Substitutes; D006454:Hemoglobins