Key Highlights

  • Vitrafy partnered with Versiti Blood Health, a US non-profit blood network, to advance its cryopreservation ecosystem for platelets.
  • Two Vitrafy freezing units will be placed at Versiti's Milwaukee research institute free of charge, with no Revenue generated.
  • Platelet use of the Vitrafy ecosystem remains in development and subject to US regulation, and US medical device listing of the freezer is targeted for FY2027.

Vitrafy Life Sciences Ltd (ASX:VFY) announced on 30 September 2026 a Partnership with Versiti Blood Health, Inc., a US non-profit blood network, to advance development of its cryopreservation ecosystem for platelets. The partnership will also support verification and validation activities for Vitrafy's planned US medical device listing.

Background study

The partnership follows the Phase II in-vitro platelet study conducted with the United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, announced on 22 May 2026. In that study a 3% DMSO no-wash protocol achieved 94.4% mean post-thaw platelet recovery using Vitrafy's cryopreservation ecosystem. The company states that the use of its ecosystem for cryopreserved platelets remains in development and is subject to US regulatory requirements, and that the result was in vitro.

Partnership structure

Vitrafy and Versiti will each contribute resources to advance the no-wash platelet cryopreservation ecosystem within Versiti's platelet workflows. Vitrafy will initially place two cryopreservation freezing units at the Versiti Blood Research Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, without charge, and the Placement will not generate revenue. Vitrafy will also fund certain verification and validation services undertaken by Versiti on its behalf for the FDA medical device listing process.

Medical device listing

Separately, blood products supplied under the partnership will support verification and validation of Vitrafy's cryopreservation freezer for currently approved cryopreserved blood products such as plasma. These activities are directed at completing US medical device listing for the freezer, targeted for FY2027. Versiti also intends to explore applying the ecosystem to other blood products, including red blood cells.

About Versiti

Versiti is a non-profit blood health organisation operating 42 fixed collection centres and serving more than 400 hospitals across five Midwest states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. It collects, tests and distributes blood and blood products, and runs the Versiti Blood Research Institute and diagnostic laboratories. It is Vitrafy's third US civilian blood partnership, following Vitalant and Hoxworth Blood Center, both focused on red blood cells.

Platelet Supply context

Vitrafy says its aim is to help supply hospitals with cryopreserved platelets that overcome the seven-day shelf life that constrains today's supply, and cites a report that 33% of hospitals face platelet shortages. Vitrafy's platform comprises the Guardion cryopreservation freezing unit and LifeChain, a cloud-based software platform. The announcement gives no revenue, pricing or commercial supply terms.

Platelet supply background

Vitrafy says today's platelet supply is constrained by a seven-day shelf life and cites a report that 33% of hospitals face platelet shortages in life-saving situations. Its aim is to supply hospitals with high-quality cryopreserved platelets. The partnership is the first of Vitrafy's US civilian blood partnerships to focus on platelets, whereas those with Vitalant and Hoxworth Blood Center concern red blood cells.

Regulatory distinction

The release separates two regulatory tracks. Platelet cryopreservation using the Vitrafy ecosystem remains in development and subject to US regulatory requirements. The freezer's US medical device listing, targeted for FY2027, relates to currently approved cryopreserved blood products such as plasma. Vitrafy is funding verification and validation work undertaken by Versiti for the listing process, which is currently under way.