Understanding What is the price of thrombin powder and its cost variations

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

Thrombin-JMI, a bovine-sourced thrombin, is commonly used in clinical settings, with a 5,000 IU vial priced around $115-$120 from some suppliers, though significant variations exist. This guide explores the different factors that influence what is the price of thrombin powder for medical and research applications.

Quick Summary

The price of thrombin powder varies significantly based on its source (bovine, human, recombinant), potency, and intended use. Costs range from under a hundred to over several hundred dollars per vial for clinical products, while research-grade thrombin can also be costly.

Key Points

Source Varies Price: Bovine-sourced thrombin is generally less expensive than recombinant human or human plasma-derived versions.
Potency Matters: Higher-potency vials (e.g., 20,000 IU) cost more in total but may have a lower unit price than lower-potency vials (5,000 IU).
Clinical vs. Research: Clinical-grade thrombin for surgical use is priced differently and packaged in larger amounts compared to high-purity research-grade thrombin.
Suppliers Impact Cost: Prices for the same product can differ based on the vendor, with specialized suppliers charging differently than those serving hospital networks.
Kits Increase Cost: Thrombin kits that include diluents and application devices are more expensive than the thrombin powder vial alone.
Strategic Procurement is Key: Large purchasers like hospitals can negotiate better rates for bulk supplies, while research labs prioritize high purity for specific applications.

Introduction to thrombin powder pricing

Thrombin powder is a crucial medical and laboratory supply, primarily used as a hemostatic agent to control bleeding during surgical procedures or as a tool in coagulation research. Its pricing is not a single, fixed number but a complex landscape influenced by several variables. For clinicians and researchers, understanding these factors is key to navigating procurement and budgeting.

Factors influencing thrombin powder price

Several critical elements determine the final cost of thrombin powder:

Source of the thrombin: The origin of the thrombin significantly impacts its cost. Bovine-sourced thrombin, which has been in use for many years, is generally more cost-effective than newer, recombinant human thrombin. Recombinant thrombin is manufactured using genetic engineering, eliminating the potential for pathogen transmission from animal sources, which adds to its production cost. Human plasma-derived thrombin also carries a higher price due to the purification processes and sourcing complexities involved.
Potency and quantity: Thrombin is sold in vials with varying potencies, typically measured in International Units (IU). A 5,000 IU vial will have a different price than a 20,000 IU vial. In many cases, larger quantities per vial offer a better unit price, but the total cost is higher. Research-grade thrombin is often sold in even smaller, highly specific unit quantities, leading to a much higher price per unit compared to the bulk-volume clinical products.
Supplier and vendor: Different medical and laboratory suppliers set their own prices based on their business models, inventory, and supply chain. For example, a wholesale supplier catering to hospitals may offer different pricing than a specialized chemical company like Sigma-Aldrich. The final price can also be affected by purchasing power, with larger hospital networks often securing better rates.
Packaging and accessories: Thrombin powder is often sold as a kit, including a diluent for reconstitution and application accessories like a syringe or spray applicator. These kits are more expensive than the powder vial alone, and the specific accessories included will affect the total price.
Intended use: The application can also dictate the type and price of thrombin. Clinical-grade, FDA-approved thrombin for surgical use commands a different price point than research-grade thrombin intended for lab experiments. Research-grade products from companies like Sigma-Aldrich and Kerafast can be priced based on much smaller quantities like micrograms or specific unit counts for lab protocols, rather than for broad clinical application.

Clinical vs. Research-Grade Thrombin: A pricing comparison


Factor	Clinical-Grade (e.g., Thrombin-JMI)	Research-Grade (e.g., Sigma-Aldrich human thrombin)
Source	Typically bovine or human plasma.	Can be bovine, human, or recombinant, often with specific purity details.
Typical Packaging	Vials (5,000 IU, 20,000 IU) often with diluent and applicators.	Smaller vials or tubes (100, 250, 1000 units), often without additional components.
Price Example (5,000 IU)	Around $115–$120+ for a single vial.	Approx. $2,830 for 5,000 units of high-purity human plasma-derived thrombin.
Pricing Basis	Per vial or per kit for a specific potency.	Highly specific pricing based on units or mass (e.g., micrograms).
Key Price Drivers	FDA approval, sterile processing, bulk packaging, and hospital procurement contracts.	High purity, specific source (e.g., recombinant), and specialized lab applications.

Example prices for different thrombin products

Thrombin-JMI (Bovine Origin): A 5,000 IU vial with diluent is listed for approximately $115-$120 on some surgical supply sites. A larger 20,000 IU vial kit can be found for around $470 to over $500.
Recombinant Human Thrombin: A specialty product, often used in research. Prices vary significantly by supplier and quantity. A 100 µg vial of recombinant human thrombin could cost around $474.
Thrombin from Human Plasma: A research-grade product from Sigma-Aldrich shows pricing based on units. For example, 1,000 NIH units could be around $706, while 5,000 units are listed for approximately $2,830.
Bovine Thrombin (Research Grade): A different product from Sigma-Aldrich shows 1,000 units for $599. Another bovine thrombin from Ilex Life Sciences lists 10,000 units for a sale price of $245. These examples highlight the variation even within the same source material based on purity and vendor.

Navigating the cost of thrombin

For healthcare institutions and research facilities, managing the cost of thrombin powder requires careful consideration. Here are some strategies:

Evaluate needs based on application: A large hospital with frequent surgical cases will require clinical-grade thrombin in bulk, potentially benefiting from group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or direct manufacturer contracts to lower unit costs. A research lab, on the other hand, may only need small, high-purity batches of recombinant thrombin, justifying the higher per-unit price.
Compare suppliers: Prices can differ substantially between vendors. For example, while one supplier lists Thrombin-JMI at a certain price, another may offer a different rate. Comparison is essential.
Consider generic or alternative options: Where appropriate and safe, generic or less expensive alternatives might be available, particularly for products that are off-patent. Always verify safety and efficacy before switching.
Factor in overheads: For hospitals, the price is not just the sticker price of the vial but also includes costs associated with procurement, storage, and handling. These costs can be optimized through efficient supply chain management.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to what is the price of thrombin powder. The cost is a function of its source, potency, vendor, and intended use, with prices ranging from over $100 for a 5,000 IU clinical-grade vial to well over $2,000 for high-purity research variants. For medical facilities, bovine-sourced thrombin like Thrombin-JMI is a standard hemostatic agent, whereas research labs may opt for more expensive recombinant or specialized human-plasma derived thrombin. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective purchasing and budget management in both clinical and laboratory settings.

For more detailed information on specific brands, refer to sources like Drugs.com for price guides on products like Thrombin-JMI.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 5,000 IU vial of clinical-grade thrombin, such as Thrombin-JMI, generally costs between $115 and $120 or more, depending on the supplier and packaging.

Recombinant human thrombin is more expensive because it is produced using genetic engineering, which is a more complex and costly process than sourcing from animal plasma. This method also eliminates the risk of transmitting animal-derived pathogens.

Yes, thrombin powder kits, which typically include the diluent and application devices like a syringe or spray applicator, are more expensive than purchasing the vial of powder alone.

Research-grade thrombin is often much more expensive per unit, particularly for high-purity varieties. It is sold in smaller quantities and priced based on units or mass (e.g., µg) rather than bulk clinical needs.

While branded products like Thrombin-JMI are widely known, generic options or alternatives exist, especially for older, off-patent products. Always consult a healthcare professional to ensure safety and efficacy before considering a switch.

Prices can fluctuate based on the supplier's inventory, purchasing contracts (especially for large hospital systems), and the specific type of thrombin needed.

Hospitals and large medical networks can often secure better prices by leveraging group purchasing organizations (GPOs) or negotiating direct contracts with manufacturers and suppliers for bulk orders.