Recently, Korea has entered a state of severe blood shortage, effectively becoming a “blood-deficient nation.” The key donor demographic—teenagers and people in their 20s—who previously accounted for 80% of the blood supply, has been reduced by half compared to 10 years ago, leading to a supply that falls short of demand. As countermeasures, efforts are being made to reduce blood demand and increase blood donations, particularly among military personnel, but these measures are only temporary solutions. With declining birth rates expected to continue, the shortage of blood donations is likely to become an even more serious issue in the future.
[Fig] Annual Blood Donation Performance and Donation Trends Among Teens and People in Their 20s
The government has launched a Cell-Based Artificial Blood Production and Demonstration Platform Project, aiming to develop technologies for the mass production of transfusable artificial blood by 2037. This initiative is a collaborative effort among multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. During the initial phase (2023–2027), the goal is to secure cell-based artificial blood production technology, establish production protocols, and develop prototypes. As such, the development of artificial blood has become a national priority to address the blood shortage crisis.
[Fig] Announcement of the Cell-Based Artificial Blood Development Project and Three-Phase Development Overview
Korean companies are also actively engaged in artificial blood R&D. Artblood Co., Ltd. (CEO: Eunjung Baek) is developing artificial blood (erythrocyte precursors) based on cell lines and successfully raised KRW 6.5 billion (Series A) after its technology was recognized. The company possesses technology for establishing cell lines for red blood cell production, which can be modified depending on application needs. Furthermore, this technology enables the infinite proliferation of red blood cell production cell lines, achieving a breakthrough in production efficiency. Based on this investment, Artblood plans to accelerate the development of technologies for the commercialization of artificial blood.
[Fig] Overview of Artblood’s Red Blood Cell Line Establishment Technology and Culture Performance
In addition, DuCell Biotherapeutics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Minwoo Lee) is actively developing artificial blood technologies. The company is working on a method to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into hematopoietic stem cells, which are then used to produce platelets. Once mass production of artificial platelets is achieved, it is expected to resolve chronic platelet shortages. Recently, DuCell Biotherapeutics was selected for the project “Advancement of Cell-Based Artificial Blood Mass Production Process Technology” (project budget: KRW 5.9 billion) and is continuing its development efforts. As such, corporate activity in artificial blood development is highly active.
[Fig] Overview of DuCell Biotherapeutics’ Artificial Platelet Production Technology
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “artificial blood technology is expected to create new opportunities for SMEs with strong government support.” It further noted that “securing intellectual property rights for various artificial blood technologies will be a strong strategic approach.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected as a partner by more than 2,000 innovative startups, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, strategic planning, investment attraction, and IP-based business support such as technology-special listings.
#ArtificialBlood #ErythrocytePrecursors #Artblood #DuCellBiotherapeutics #CellBasedArtificialBlood #ArtificialBloodProject
Recently, Korea has entered a state of severe blood shortage, effectively becoming a “blood-deficient nation.” The key donor demographic—teenagers and people in their 20s—who previously accounted for 80% of the blood supply, has been reduced by half compared to 10 years ago, leading to a supply that falls short of demand. As countermeasures, efforts are being made to reduce blood demand and increase blood donations, particularly among military personnel, but these measures are only temporary solutions. With declining birth rates expected to continue, the shortage of blood donations is likely to become an even more serious issue in the future.
[Fig] Annual Blood Donation Performance and Donation Trends Among Teens and People in Their 20s
The government has launched a Cell-Based Artificial Blood Production and Demonstration Platform Project, aiming to develop technologies for the mass production of transfusable artificial blood by 2037. This initiative is a collaborative effort among multiple ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. During the initial phase (2023–2027), the goal is to secure cell-based artificial blood production technology, establish production protocols, and develop prototypes. As such, the development of artificial blood has become a national priority to address the blood shortage crisis.
[Fig] Announcement of the Cell-Based Artificial Blood Development Project and Three-Phase Development Overview
Korean companies are also actively engaged in artificial blood R&D. Artblood Co., Ltd. (CEO: Eunjung Baek) is developing artificial blood (erythrocyte precursors) based on cell lines and successfully raised KRW 6.5 billion (Series A) after its technology was recognized. The company possesses technology for establishing cell lines for red blood cell production, which can be modified depending on application needs. Furthermore, this technology enables the infinite proliferation of red blood cell production cell lines, achieving a breakthrough in production efficiency. Based on this investment, Artblood plans to accelerate the development of technologies for the commercialization of artificial blood.
[Fig] Overview of Artblood’s Red Blood Cell Line Establishment Technology and Culture Performance
In addition, DuCell Biotherapeutics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Minwoo Lee) is actively developing artificial blood technologies. The company is working on a method to differentiate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into hematopoietic stem cells, which are then used to produce platelets. Once mass production of artificial platelets is achieved, it is expected to resolve chronic platelet shortages. Recently, DuCell Biotherapeutics was selected for the project “Advancement of Cell-Based Artificial Blood Mass Production Process Technology” (project budget: KRW 5.9 billion) and is continuing its development efforts. As such, corporate activity in artificial blood development is highly active.
[Fig] Overview of DuCell Biotherapeutics’ Artificial Platelet Production Technology
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “artificial blood technology is expected to create new opportunities for SMEs with strong government support.” It further noted that “securing intellectual property rights for various artificial blood technologies will be a strong strategic approach.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected as a partner by more than 2,000 innovative startups, supporting corporate growth and success through IP acquisition, strategic planning, investment attraction, and IP-based business support such as technology-special listings.
#ArtificialBlood #ErythrocytePrecursors #Artblood #DuCellBiotherapeutics #CellBasedArtificialBlood #ArtificialBloodProject