Bank of purified blood-making cells to bridge radiation-caused low blood counts
Official title: Developing a bank of purified myeloid progenitor cells as a bridging therapy for transient pancytopenia resulting from radiation injury
Funded at Ossium Health, INC. · NIH-11404025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, ready-to-use bank of special blood-cell precursors from donated bone marrow could help people who have low blood counts after radiation exposure while doctors figure out the best long-term treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ossium Health, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 14, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $579,970 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI183961-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of or recovering from radiation-induced pancytopenia who have access to this cell bank and meet donor/recipient criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to the cell bank or who do not meet donor-derived cell criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a ready supply of purified myeloid progenitor cells that can be given to patients who suffer from neutropenia and thrombocytopenia after accidental radiation exposure. Cells will be selected from donor bone marrow using a GMP-compliant process and tested to ensure they are pure and functional. They will be evaluated in lab models and in mice to see if they improve survival after radiation-induced blood cell loss. If successful, this could provide a temporary, bridging therapy to keep patients safer until standard care is determined.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with radiation-induced bone marrow damage could receive a temporary cell-based therapy to reduce infection and bleeding risk.
How similar studies have gone: Similar cell-based bridging approaches have shown promise in preclinical models, with ongoing development translating toward clinical application.
Where this research is happening
-
Ossium Health, INC.
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnstone, Brian H. — Ossium Health, INC.
- Study coordinator: Johnstone, Brian H.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.