Oxygent is a human blood substitute designed for surgical applications by the Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp for moderate anemia. Oxygent is a lecithin-stabilized emulsion of a perfluorocarbon (PCF). It is one of several second generation PCF that has been further improved upon throughout the years to prevent retention of PFC in organs, others HemAssist, PolyHeme, Hemopure. Oxygent acts as an oxygen delivery method from which the oxygen carried can be easily extracted by the surrounded tissues for later consumption. The substance had not been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as there are questions about its safety. Phase 2 trials were announced in 2007 but phase 3 trials have been halted. Oxygent performed well in a phase 2 clinical trial in Europe when applied in general surgeries, but Oxygent failed in the final study in this phase. During the study, there was an increase in incidences of strokes among the Oxygent-treated patients, and the study was stopped.
Out of the second-generation PCFs that advanced onto phase III trials, Oxygent got the closest to getting regulatory approval, but the results led to the end of these trials. Development on PolyHeme and Hemopure, has continued in order to pass these trials. Further development on Oxygent may have been terminated as a result of expenses or doubt about the product’s future success but it's a lot clinical potential for oxygen delivery despite this.
There are several advantages of using artificial blood substitutes instead of human blood transfusions: it will not spread blood-borne diseases; it is a universal replacement for people in any blood type; and it is acceptable to Jehovah's Witnesses who refuse human blood transfusions. It is also possible for long term storage unlike blood enabling it to mass collected.