Military Working Dog Whole Blood Product or Substitute
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Defense Health Agency, through DoD SBIR topic DHA26BZ01-NV001, is seeking a shelf-stable canine whole blood product or substitute to improve hemorrhage control for Military Working Dogs after traumatic battlefield injury. The work calls for a solution that replicates whole blood oxygen-carrying performance and can be developed from feasibility through prototype and commercialization, with final product specifications and a path toward FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine approval. Key technical requirements include an oxygen capacity of about 24 ml/dL, a shelf life greater than three years, thermal stability from -9℃ to 60℃, and testing in suitable non-canine animal models rather than dogs. Phase II includes a powered in vivo comparison against crystalloid fluids, plasma, and whole blood in severe hemorrhage or hemorrhagic shock models, with outcomes such as survival, tissue oxygenation, coagulopathy correction, end organ function, and inflammatory or toxicity measures. The topic opened on May 6, 2026, and applications are due June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC under solicitation number 26.BZ.