Hemostatic Agent Development

We will develop a novel hemostatic, antimicrobial, resorbable, nanofiber dressing utilizing proven hemorrhage control technology in combination with novel advanced technologies. The nanofiber dressing will be prepared using scaleable Nanospider™ electrospinning technology. Nanofiber Based Dressing Constructs (NBDCs) can be prepared to have physical and chemical attributes that closely resemble natural biologic matrix forms such as the body’s extracellular matrix. Because of these characteristics, NBDCs are readily conformable with complex injuries and provide for rapid delivery of hemostatic and antimicrobial functionality. We will investigate the use of a new absorbable, hemostatic, electrospinnable chitosan derivative. The chitosan derivative resorbs rapidly and meets ISO 10993 requirements for a resorbable implantable material. HemCon has performed allergenic human trials using the original base chitosan and has demonstrated absence of shrimp or other allergic responses in hypersensitive individuals. Chitosan surface area, in conjunction with shear promotes platelet activation of clotting. The very high specific surface area of chitosan in the NBDC provides significant advantages in controlling hemorrhage and addressing contamination. HemCon will partner with Haemostatix Ltd to further enhance hemostatic activity by the conjugation of a fibrinogen binding peptide (GPRP) to the NBDC. Initial studies demonstrate that peptide surface coating will control hemorrhage within one minute.