The collaboration between SeaStar Medical and the Autonomous Reanimation and Evacuation (AREVA) Research Institute, supported by a significant grant from the United States Department of Defense (DoD), marks a pivotal step forward in the treatment of severe burns, inhalation injuries, and septicemia. These conditions often lead to destructive hyperinflammation, causing organ failure and high mortality rates. The research focuses on SeaStar Medical's Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) therapy, a novel approach designed to modify the body's immune response by treating blood outside the body, thereby neutralizing overactive immune cells and reducing inflammation.
Selected from 160 submissions by the 2024 Military Burn Research Program (MBRP), this three-year study, commencing in July 2025 with over $2 million in funding, underscores the potential of SCD therapy to revolutionize care for both military and civilian patients. The therapy, used alongside continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), aims to support organ recovery, potentially reducing the need for lifelong dialysis and improving survival rates. Dr. Andriy Batchinsky, principal investigator at AREVA, highlights the study's potential to save lives by addressing infection- and trauma-related organ failures.
SeaStar Medical's SCD therapy has already demonstrated efficacy in treating pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI), showing a 50% reduction in mortality rates and decreased dialysis dependency. With ongoing trials for adult AKI and exploration into broader applications, the therapy represents a beacon of hope for patients with acute and chronic conditions lacking FDA-approved treatments. The AREVA Institute's unique capabilities and the DoD's endorsement signal a significant leap towards mitigating the devastating impacts of severe burns and related injuries, offering a glimpse into a future where such conditions no longer dictate a patient's survival or quality of life.
