A shelf-stable blood product designed to save the lives of military working dogs on the battlefield has earned top honors at the Military Health System Research Symposium in Kissimmee, Florida. The Canine Freeze-Dried Plasma Integrated Product Team received the Program Management Award for securing the first-ever Food and Drug Administration clearance for a freeze-dried canine plasma product.
The product, known as Canine Freeze-Dried Plasma (cFDP), is a major advance for military dogs that serve as explosive detectors, search and rescue specialists, and combat support assets across the Joint Force. These dogs often operate in remote, dangerous environments where severe blood loss from trauma is a leading cause of death. Historically, treating such injuries required whole blood or fresh frozen plasma, both of which need strict cold-chain refrigeration. That makes them nearly impossible to transport and use in far-forward locations.
The newly approved cFDP changes that equation. It is highly portable, remains stable at room temperature for at least one year, and can be administered within minutes of being mixed with sterile water at the point of injury. The program was initially launched as a Small Business Innovation Research effort by U.S. Special Operations Command, but the Defense Health Agency’s Warfighter Protection and Acute Care Program Management Office took over development and navigated significant manufacturing and regulatory hurdles to bring it to market.
The team’s work culminated in a historic milestone in December 2025, when commercial partner Mantel Technologies received a low-risk determination from the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. By February 2026, the product launched for commercial pre-sales, achieving Initial and Full Operational Capability well ahead of schedule. Kendra Lawrence, the program manager, credited unprecedented collaboration across military services, contract partners, and the end-user community for the early success. She also highlighted the team’s ability to overcome supply chain bottlenecks by building an independent, U.S.-based manufacturing pipeline.
From Science to Battlefield Readiness
The award recognizes not just the FDA clearance, but the entire process of turning a promising scientific concept into a practical, deployable medical tool. Under the leadership of U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sheila Johnson, the team maintained close communication with military dog handlers and veterinarians to ensure the product met real-world needs. The program now stands as a model for how military medical research can move rapidly from laboratory innovation to advanced development and field use.
Next steps include continued sustainment actions and future review milestones in the coming fiscal year. For the thousands of military working dogs that serve alongside U.S. forces, this means a greater chance of surviving severe injuries and returning to duty. The same collaborative approach could also pave the way for similar freeze-dried plasma products for other animals in military service, offering a hopeful outlook for canine warfighters and the teams who depend on them.