The final batch of red blood cells has been produced and given to the volunteers – huge congratulations to the NHSBT Filton Advanced Therapies Unitfor their work producing the cells.
This marks another key milestone in the delivery of their world-first RESTORE clinical trial, where lab-grown red blood cells are given to healthy volunteer participants in a mini-dose.
BioResource involvement
Back in 2022, a significant step forward in transfusion medicine had been achieved with the first clinical trial to transfuse laboratory-grown red blood cells into another person. Our volunteers provided the donor samples needed to grow these cells, and our participation has supported the trial from its earliest stages. We are proud of playing such a key role in this important project with huge potential for patient benefit.
What is RESTORE?
The trial, known as RESTORE, tested whether red blood cells produced from stem cells in a laboratory can survive longer in the body than standard donated cells. If these lab grown cells last longer, they could reduce the number of transfusions required for people who depend on regular blood support. This would be especially valuable for patients with rare blood types or complex transfusion needs, who often face challenges in finding compatible donors.
To carry out the study, researchers took blood from BioResource volunteers and isolated stem cells, which were then encouraged to mature into red blood cells under controlled laboratory conditions. Healthy volunteers receive two small transfusions at different times, one with standard donated cells and one with the lab-grown cells. Researchers then track how long each type remains in circulation.
RESTORE is a long-running research programme led by NHS Blood and Transplant in partnership with academic and clinical teams across the UK. It aims to develop reliable methods for producing red blood cells from stem cells at a scale suitable for clinical use. The trial marked the first time such cells have been transfused into another person, representing a major step toward understanding whether this technology can support future patient care.
We look forward to having the results of this groundbreaking trial to share sometime in late 2026 or early 2027.
