US FDA Approves First Freeze-Dried Plasma Product

On July 29, 2026, the U.S. FDA approved Ezplaz, the country's first freeze-dried plasma product, developed by Teleflex subsidiary Vascular Solutions. Unlike conventional plasma, Ezplaz stores at room temperature and reconstitutes rapidly, making it ideal for combat zones, disaster response, and rural areas. However, American Red Cross official Dr. Pampee Young notes the approval will not resolve the current national blood crisis, which primarily impacts red blood cells and platelets.

Ezplaz FDA approval

• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Ezplaz Freeze Dried Plasma on July 29, 2026, for adult patients requiring unavailable conventional plasma.
• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted a biologics license for Ezplaz to Vascular Solutions, a subsidiary of Teleflex.

National blood supply crisis

• ▪Dr. Pampee Young stated the Ezplaz approval is unlikely to ease U.S. hospital blood shortages, which primarily affect red blood cells and platelets.
• ▪The American Red Cross is experiencing its second national blood supply crisis in history, with donations falling to a four-year summer low.
• ▪The American Red Cross has less than a one-day national supply of O positive blood, forcing shipment limits to some hospitals.

Room temperature plasma storage

• ▪Ezplaz Freeze Dried Plasma is packaged in plastic bags rather than glass bottles, reducing breakage risks and improving transportability.
• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated Ezplaz could improve plasma access for patients with life-threatening bleeding in combat zones.

Combat zone medical applications

• ▪The U.S. Food and Drug Administration noted Ezplaz could improve plasma access during disaster-response operations and in rural areas with limited infrastructure.
• ▪Ezplaz is available in Group AB and Group A low-titer anti-B blood types for emergency use before a patient's blood type is known.

Rural area plasma access

• ▪Ezplaz is derived from a single unit of fresh frozen plasma collected at U.S. Food and Drug Administration-licensed blood establishments.