Circulate Health is putting TPE to the test.
What’s happening: The therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) company published the first human study showing its procedure can remove microplastics from the bloodstream.
Experimenting. Researchers tracked 114 patients before and after TPE, finding those with the highest microplastic burden saw levels fall by ~30 points after a single treatment. On the flipside, patients with low starting levels sometimes saw increases, attributed to IV bags and tubing, highlighting healthcare’s systemic exposure problem.
Test market. As TPE moves from clinical care to longevity clinics, Circulate is already the US’s largest provider, equipping 35+ partners with hardware and training to remove exposomic factors like microplastics, PFAS, and heavy metals.
Entering Europe via the UK’s Reborne, a $12M investment will accelerate expansion and R&D, with CEO Brad Younggren noting the potential of novel data collection for chronic diseases.
Unburdening. Early days, treatments can run $5K. But, as longevity detoxes go mainstream, the TPE market is projected to reach $3B by 2034. Meanwhile, more accessible and affordable bioremediation protocols—from PFAS-fighting probiotics to sauna sessions—are gaining traction.
Looking ahead: Combating environmental damage, the exposome detox market is a growth category, and Circulate wants to make TPE as common as an oil change.
