Biopure Corporation introduced a new, 60 milliliter (mL) bag of its oxygen therapeutic Oxyglobin [hemoglobin glutamer – 200 (bovine)] to provide veterinarians more dosing flexibility when treating anemia in smaller dogs or those requiring less or short-term oxygen-carrying support. The original 125 mL bag is available for use in larger dogs and for use in combination with the 60 mL bag.

"We're introducing this new-size bag at the request of veterinarians who want greater flexibility in tailoring the dose to the patient's needs," said Dale eaudoin, Director of Veterinary Sales and Marketing, Biopure Corporation, from the company's exhibit at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum in Charlotte, N.C. "It's also cost effective for both the doctor and dog owner because it maximizes the product's use while minimizing waste."

The new-size bag of Oxyglobin is temporarily being offered at a special introductory price of $75 per bag. The product will be packaged in four 60 mL bags per box, with a minimum order of one box. The company expects to begin shipping the new-size bags in August 2003. The original 125 mL bag, packaged two bags per box, is offered from $118 to $146 per bag depending on the quantity ordered.

Oxyglobin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 and by the European Commission in 1999 for the treatment of anemia in dogs by increasing systemic oxygen content and improving the clinical signs associated with anemia, regardless of the cause of anemia. In 2000, Biopure extended the product's shelf life from 24 months to 36 months and broadened the labeling from a specific dosage (30 ml/kg) to a flexible, lower dosage range (10 to 30 ml/kg) based on data from laboratory and animal studies showing that lower doses can be effective in treating anemia.

Oxyglobin is an oxygen therapeutic, or drug, consisting of chemically stabilized bovine hemoglobin formulated in a balanced salt solution. This stabilized hemoglobin circulates directly in plasma (the fluid part of blood) when infused, increasing oxygen diffusion to the body's tissues. The product has been widely used both as an alternative to red blood cell transfusion (e.g., massive blood loss) and in situations where immediate oxygen-carrying support may be beneficial but blood transfusion is ineffective or inappropriate (e.g., immune-mediated hemolytic anemia). Oxyglobin is compatible with all blood types, can be stored for three years without refrigeration or special handling, and is purified through patented and proprietary techniques that are validated to remove potential contaminants.