Hemopure, developed by Biopure (BPUR), is an oxygen-therapeutic based on chemically stabilized bovine hemoglobin. It has been developed for potential use in humans as a substitute for blood, which is often in short supply. Hemopure carries a risk of being used improperly as a performance enhancement in sports, may cause reactions, or may carry infection. Hemopure has been approved for human use and commercial sale in South Africa since April 10, 2001, a first and only for this product class. But despite this, BPUR has only managed to sell a total of $8,000 worth of Hemopure in South Africa in the intervening five years through July 31, 2006- according to corporate documents.