Dr. Joseph C. Fratantoni (1938–2015), FDA retired physician, who was one of the pioneers in blood substitute’s regulation and development, died on 6 May 2015. Dr. Fratantoni obtained an MA degree in Chemistry from Harvard University in 1961 and his Medical Degree was earned from Cornell University in 1965. After several internships at Cornell University, he moved to the Washington, DC, area at Georgetown University, where he then joined the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1972. Between 1974–1978, he worked at the Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, NHLBI, NIH. Dr Fratantoni joined the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1978 as the Chief of the Laboratory of Cellular Hematology, previously known as Cellular Components and remained at CBER until 1996. He was Director of the Division of Hematology between 1992 and 96.
Dr. Fratantoni had a distinguished service in the Division of Hematology and Office of Blood Research and Review (OBRR). His scientific leadership and work ethic were guiding lights in numerous areas of regulation, including blood banking, blood substitutes, transfusion medicine and pathogen inactivation technologies. Through his tenureship at OBRR, he mentored a large number of individuals who are currently in leadership positions. In recognition of his outstanding service to CBER, he was awarded the 2012 FDA Distinguished Alumni Award.
In 1989, Dr. Fratantoni initiated a research program within OBRR, Division of Hematology, to independently investigate some of the safety issues hampering the development of a viable blood substitute product. Other research projects with public health impact and complimentary programs such as Vascular Biology and Red Blood Cell Biology were created later based largely on the Blood Substitutes program.
Blood substitutes have long been the Holy Grail for physicians, researchers and industry alike, because these agents can potentially save lives without waiting for typing, are free of infection, and can be stored for a long time. During his tenureship at the FDA, Dr. Fratantoni worked hard in articulating FDA concerns regarding the safety of these products and sought to bridge the gap between government and regulated industry through sponsored workshops and seminars, which resulted in publication of several points to consider and guidance documents to industry. He continued to advocate passionately the need for more research work on blood substitutes and other blood products when he retired from the FDA, and joined several consulting firms in the area.
He spent many years volunteering his time as a physician at the Mercy Health Clinic, caring for indigent patients. He also spent many hours as a Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) affiliate professor, teaching and working with the medical students. Dr. Fratantoni also had a passion for sailing, starting in the early years as a fellow at the NIH.
Dr. Fratantoni is survived by his wife, Pauline, three children and six grandchildren. Please remember Dr. Fratantoni in your thoughts and prayers.
Chief, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Vascular Biology
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Building 52/72, Room 4106
Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
[email protected]