Beyond transfusion: Platelet-derived therapeutic products as a new frontier for blood establishments and transfusion...

Allogeneic blood components and plasma-derived medicinal products (PDMPs) are cornerstone therapies in modern medicine, setting standards for quality, safety and efficacy. While platelets are traditionally transfused to prevent or control bleeding, they also serve as reservoirs of bioactive molecules with regenerative, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties. This review examines how pooled human platelet lysates (HPLs) and platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (p-EVs) could be developed as therapeutic products, building on the principles established for PDMPs.

We synthesize findings from preclinical and translational studies on the composition, production, mechanisms of action and clinical applications of HPLs and p-EVs, integrating insights from the PDMP industry to outline a framework for standardized development.

Evidence indicates that HPLs and p-EVs from surplus or outdated platelet units show therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine, immunomodulation and drug delivery. Randomized trials in ocular graft-versus-host disease provide advanced clinical evidence, while other uses such as orthopaedics, wound healing and neurological disorders remain at exploratory or preclinical stages. Their development parallels the historical shift in plasma use, from transfusion to fractionation, offering a model for repurposing platelet concentrates (PCs). The systematic application of GMP, viral safety and regulatory frameworks can facilitate their clinical translation.

Platelet-derived products represent a new frontier for transfusion medicine, enabling value creation from surplus PCs. Ethical development, standardized production and stepwise clinical evaluation are essential to realize their promise in regenerative and precision medicine.