Unlike haemoglobin, which has an atom of iron at its centre, haemaurin contains an atom of gold.

ECONOMIST: Genetic engineering

Early trials have shown promise in treating sickle-cell anaemia, a disease caused by a faulty haemoglobin gene.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

Scientists at another American pharmaceutical company, Sangart, meanwhile, have been encasing the gas or, strictly speaking, CO-ferrying haemoglobin in a polymer pouch.

ECONOMIST: Monitor

The first was the introduction of a gene for a genetically modified version of haemoglobin which Paolo Fril, GeneDupe's boss, has dubbed haemaurin.

ECONOMIST: Genetic engineering

The cells' shape is affected because a protein within it - haemoglobin which carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body - is different to normal.

BBC: New hope for sickle cell patients

"Pregnant women are recommended to get a haemoglobin test at least once in every trimester of their pregnancy but it is inconvenient for a women to walk to the nearest primary healthcare centre that could more than 5km away, " he said.

BBC: Device to fight anaemia in India about to go on sale