ERYtech Pharma uses one of the main functions of red blood cells, that is bringing oxygen to tissues, and develops a twofold R&D program – tissue oxygenation & tumor oxygenation – based on the encapsulation of an hemoglobin allosteric effector into red blood cells.
Delivery of oxygen into tissues involves two processes: transport to the microcirculation and diffusion from capillaries to cells. The physiological release of oxygen to cells is only of about 25%.
By encapsulating a hemoglobin allosteric effector into red blood cells, hemoglobin affinity for oxygen is lowered and oxygen extraction is increased. Tissue oxygen consumption can be increased by 2-3 fold the physiological value.
