17 December 2025

Reimagining Battlefield Hemorrhage Control

Uncontrolled hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death in combat environments, responsible for a large proportion of battlefield fatalities before definitive care can be reached. Addressing this urgent challenge requires hemostatic technologies that can perform reliably under extreme, resource-limited conditions while supporting tissue preservation and recovery.

Through a $2M research award sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction Number HT9425-24-9-0039 and funded through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium [MTEC], SiOxMed is advancing the Universal Combat Matrix® [UCM] in collaboration with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command [USAMRDC] and The Geneva Foundation. The UCM is a silica-based biomaterial engineered to deliver rapid hemostasis and wound stabilization under operationally relevant conditions. The project’s primary objective is to expand the UCM’s current trauma wound indication to include topical hemostasis, directly aligning with Department of War [DoW] medical modernization priorities to reduce preventable deaths and strengthen the continuum of battlefield care.

Translational Research and Preclinical Validation. Extensive preclinical and biocompatibility testing has demonstrated the UCM’s safety, efficacy, and regenerative potential. Porcine hemorrhage models simulating battlefield trauma showed that UCM-treated wounds achieved immediate and sustained hemostasis and accelerated closure with minimal rebleeding. Histological evaluation of porcine burns revealed organized collagen remodeling, robust granulation tissue formation, and a marked reduction in inflammation compared to untreated controls. Complementary biocompatibility testing confirmed compliance with ISO 10993 standards, verifying the absence of cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation, and systemic toxicity. Together, these data provide a comprehensive scientific foundation supporting regulatory advancement and transition toward operational testing.

Pathway To Operational Readiness. The current research phase focuses on completing the regulatory requirements necessary to expand the UCM’s indications from trauma wounds to include topical hemostasis. This advancement will enable transition from validated preclinical studies to applied military evaluation. Future development will emphasize end-user engagement and field-readiness optimization, including packaging design, usability, and long-term storage for integration in the Individual First Aid Kit [IFAK]. This continued progression supports the DoD’s mission to eliminate preventable deaths after injury and strengthen prehospital capabilities in forward operating environments.

“It is an honor to help guide research efforts that directly strengthen battlefield medicine,” said Kaleigh Presgraves, Senior Research Operations Manager at The Geneva Foundation. “As a former U.S. Army Combat Medic, I have seen firsthand the impact of timely hemorrhage control. Supporting the advancement of the UCM ensures that our Warfighters are equipped with the safest and most effective tools possible. It is also a privilege to support Dr. Jorgensen and the SiOxMed team – an exceptional example of how focused innovation and persistence can translate an idea into a capability that strengthens battlefield medicine. Their dedication reflects the kind of innovation that defines modern military medicine and demonstrates how partnerships between small businesses, research organizations, and the DoW can deliver transformative solutions to the battlefield.”

“The Universal Combat Matrix® was built to save lives when every second counts, offering a single solution for a wide range of battlefield injuries when surgery isn’t immediately possible,” said Dr. Adam Jorgensen, Chief Technology and Operations Officer at SiOxMed and the PI for the project. “Through collaboration with The Geneva Foundation and MTEC, we’re ensuring Warfighters have the most effective, field-ready technology to control bleeding and stabilize wounds at the point of injury.”

About USAMRDC. The U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command is the Army’s medical materiel developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, and acquisition. USAMRDC produces medical solutions for the battlefield with a focus on various areas of biomedical research, including military infectious diseases, combat casualty care, military operational medicine, medical chemical and biological defense. https://mrdc.health.mil/

About MTEC. The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium is a 501(c)(3) biomedical technology consortium that is internationally-dispersed, collaborating with multiple government agencies under a 10-year renewable Other Transaction Agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. The consortium focuses on the development of medical solutions that protect, treat, and optimize the health and performance of U.S. military personnel and civilians. To find out more about MTEC, visit https://mtec-sc.org/.

About SiOxMed. SiOxMed, based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is advancing silica-based biomaterials that address critical challenges in trauma and surgical care. Its work focuses on developing safe, effective, and scalable wound-healing and hemostatic technologies that improve outcomes in both civilian and military medicine. Through collaboration with defense research organizations, clinical partners, and academic institutions, SiOxMed is contributing to DoD priorities to enhance survivability, accelerate recovery, and strengthen medical readiness across operational environments. www.sioxmed.com

About The Geneva Foundation. The Geneva Foundation accelerates military medical research that strengthens readiness and delivers real-world impact. We advance operationally relevant, mission-driven research aligned with federal and defense health priorities to ensure the health, performance, and survivability of service members and the communities they serve. Through deep expertise in research operations, government contracting, strategic collaborations, and commercialization, Geneva bridges the gap between discovery and deployment—delivering results that advance military medicine and national defense. www.GenevaUSA.org

 

DISCLOSURES

The Universal Combat Matrix® is currently under development. Any performance statements, claims or data have not yet been evaluated by the FDA.

The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.