FDA clears freeze-dried plasma kit to boost battlefield bleeding control

The FDA has authorized Teleflex's EzPlaz, a freeze-dried plasma product that can be stored without refrigeration and reconstituted on demand, giving U.S. combat medics a portable option for treating severe bleeding.

Teleflex's EzPlaz, a freeze-dried plasma product, has been granted FDA approval, enabling it to be stored for a year without cooling and mixed with sterile water when needed. The solution comes in a durable plastic bag, making it easier for Marine Corps medics to carry in expeditionary kits and to deliver clotting factors to patients with life-threatening hemorrhage in remote or contested environments. The FDA's acting director of biologics highlighted the approval as addressing a critical gap for troops and others far from conventional hospitals.

While similar freeze-dried plasma has been used under emergency authorizations since 2018, EzPlaz’s packaging differentiates it from earlier glass-bottled versions. Trauma specialists said the product could also expand pre-hospital blood transfusion capabilities for civilian ambulances and obstetric emergencies. The timeline for large-scale delivery to the military and the ability to ramp up manufacturing have not been disclosed. The development reflects years of effort to bring portable blood products to the front lines as the U.S. prepares for future conflicts with limited supply lines.