Investigation of Autologous Blood Therapies for Treatment of Orthopaedic Injuries

Funding opportunity

Investigation of Autologous Blood Therapies for Treatment of Orthopaedic Injuries

Anticipated timeline and budget

Background

Military service places significant physical demands on personnel, resulting in a higher risk of musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) compared to the general population (Thériault, Gabler, Naicker, 2016; Born, Hawes, Whitehead, 2010). These injuries are a major contributor to morbidity, disability, and attrition in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), directly impacting Force Generation and Military Readiness. Orthopaedic injuries are the leading cause of medical discharges in the CAF and are similarly the top source of disability in the U.S. military. By limiting personnel availability for mission-critical tasks, these injuries pose a serious threat to CAF Operational Readiness.

Research efforts to prevent and reduce MSKIs are ongoing. These include biomechanical assessments of military tasks, ergonomic improvements to equipment, and targeted physical training programs. In addition, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is exploring advanced rehabilitation strategies for orthopedic injuries. One promising area is autologous blood-based therapies, which are increasingly used in sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics across North America. Evidence supporting their effectiveness is growing, particularly for conditions like tendinopathies and early-stage osteoarthritis. However, treatment outcomes vary widely due to differences in preparation methods, ranging from blood collection supplies to the steps involved in processing and administering the therapy. This variability affects consistency in patient recovery. To address this, we are evaluating second-generation autologous blood therapies, specifically Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), using standardized, high-quality preparation techniques. Given the high injury rates in the military population, we also aim to keep treatment costs manageable by using commercially available, off-the-shelf products with multiple suppliers.

Research objectives

Autologous blood therapies for tendinopathies and early-stage osteoarthritis are not consistently efficacious. We are looking to explore why this is the case. Does this have to do with the biochemical characteristics of the blood collected from the patients themselves, the processing characteristics (spin rate and time), the phlebotomy supplies that are used for these procedures (e.g, Glass vs Plastic blood tubes), or the administration techniques utilized?

Applicants are invited to propose approaches for conducting and reporting on two sets of experiments on military personnel (or analogous populations), divided into phases.

Phase 1:

Evaluate the clinical factors that impact treatment efficacy of autologous blood products by performing a Delphi study of autologous blood use in sports medicine and rehabilitation clinics across North America. Consideration may be given to the following variables:

• Records of treatment efficacy across clinics.
• Use of ultrasound to guide injectate delivery.
• Pre-conditioning protocols (e.g., exercise prior to phlebotomy).
• Patient indications and contraindications.

Phase 2:

Systematically evaluate the relative importance of blood processing variables to the composition of autologous blood injectates. Applicants may consider factors such as:

• Blood tube materials and their surface characteristics;
• Sample processing characteristics for injectate preparation (e.g., centrifuge speed/time);
• Leukocyte inclusion and degree of degranulation, and
• Characteristics of platelet degranulation (alpha, dense and lysosomal).
• Optional: Tissue response (in vitro) to prepared injectate utilized as supernatant.

Desired outputs

• Produce peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or open-access report(s). Applicants are encouraged to include anticipated costs for publication in their proposed budget;
• A final report, containing at least an Executive Summary, Abstract and Background that summarizes all research results, interpretations, and conclusions;
• Methodological framework(s) for use of autologous blood therapies in a military context;
• Virtual presentation of findings to project sponsor (may take place after the project end date), and
• Quarterly progress reports provided to DRDC.

Applicant qualifications and requirements

• Principal investigator (PI) on the project must have a PhD, MD or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., medical sciences, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, etc.).
• All appropriate academic research guidelines must be followed, including a research ethics board approval from an accredited academic institution in Canada prior to funding being issued if applicable to the method(s) selected. Submissions can be made to the Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).
• For research involving CAF members, approval from the Surgeon General Health Research Board may be required. Use of a representative population, with similar age and sex characteristics, is acceptable. If necessary, a CFHS point of contact will be provided to facilitate this process once the research proposals are selected.
• All reports, publications, and presentations resulting from this funding opportunity must acknowledge that the research was conducted in response to a Funding Opportunity developed and funded by DRDC.

Selection Criteria:

• Scientific merit and innovation.
• Relevance to the challenge and public interest.
• Research feasibility and soundness of methodology.
• Qualifications and diversity of research team.
• Knowledge translation and dissemination plan.

Application deadline

Please download and submit the Research Funding Application form by January 19, 2026.

Applicants are advised to include six weeks of administrative lead-time in their timelines. This will allow for ethics board submission and approval, and the drafting and signing of the funding agreement.

Enquiries

Questions about this funding opportunity can be sent to the VAC Research office.