RAPIIDly transitioning shelf-stable blood substitutes to the battlefield

Traumatic hemorrhage remains a leading cause of preventable death in military operations and civilian trauma. Delivering whole blood to austere, pre-hospital settings presents severe logistical challenges due to the need for cold-chain storage and limited shelf life. DARPA's Fieldable Solutions for Hemorrhage with bio-Artificial Resuscitation Products (FSHARP) program successfully de-risked the development of bio-synthetic components that may safely and effectively provide the life-saving functions of whole blood - delivering oxygen, stopping bleeding, and restoring blood volume and clotting factors. Transitioning these technologies into a deployable, FDA-approved system is the next critical hurdle.

To bridge the gap between laboratory proof-of-concept and real-world clinical use, DARPA is launching the Resuscitation and Prevention of Ischemia-Induced Dysfunction (RAPIID) program. Building on the foundational achievements of FSHARP, RAPIID will advance synthetic, shelf-stable blood components through clinical trials, regulatory approval, manufacturing scale-up, and the development of ruggedized fielding technologies. The ultimate goal is to deliver a fully FDA-authorized, deployable system capable of saving lives at the point of injury as early as Fiscal Year 2029.

"FSHARP proved that creating a shelf-stable blood analog was scientifically possible. Now, with RAPIID, we are focused on turning that possibility into a deployable reality that can save lives at the point of injury," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Murray, Ph.D., DARPA program manager. "By integrating the development of individual blood components with the diagnostic tools and manufacturing scale required to field them, RAPIID will ensure these critical technologies make it out of the lab and into the hands of medics."

RAPIID is structured as a 36-month effort divided into two phases. Phase 1 (12 months) will focus on demonstrating pre-clinical safety and efficacy, alongside Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-ready manufacturing plans. Phase 2 (24 months) will advance the blood analog system into early-stage human clinical trials and finalize commercialization strategies.

DARPA is currently soliciting proposals for the first two critical Technical Areas (TAs) of the program:

TA-1: Individual Blood Analog Component Development
Performers will focus on the stand-alone development of shelf-stable oxygen carriers, platelet-derived products, and dried plasma, pushing them toward clinical trials, regulatory approval and scaled manufacturing.

TA-2: Fielding Technologies Development
Performers will develop the essential delivery formats and point-of-care diagnostics required for far-forward use. This includes ruggedized packaging and diagnostic devices that inform transfusion decisions at the point of care.

To ensure rapid transition, RAPIID will also heavily incorporate regulatory advancement and commercialization strategies, requiring performers to collaborate closely on FDA authorizations (such as Emergency Use Authorization or licensing) and long-term sustainment plans.

View the Solicitation

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