Latest news with #Fibroheal
News18
13-05-2025
- Health
- News18
From An IISc Student Project To The Frontlines: How FIBROPLUG Stops Bleeding, Saves Lives
Last Updated: The silk-chitosan composite haemostat boasts a unique bio-composite formulation that swiftly clots blood while simultaneously forming a protective barrier over the wound What began as an IISc student's industrial project in a modest Bengaluru laboratory has now become a critical lifeline for Indian defence forces. FIBROPLUG, an ingenious haemostatic dressing developed through a dynamic collaboration between the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and city-based start-up Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt Ltd, is providing rapid and effective bleeding control in urgent battlefield scenarios along the nation's borders. This patented technology, a silk-chitosan composite haemostat, boasts a unique bio-composite formulation that swiftly clots blood while simultaneously forming a protective barrier over the wound. This dual action makes FIBROPLUG an indispensable tool for military healthcare professionals operating in challenging, high-pressure environments where every second counts. A significant advantage of FIBROPLUG lies in its innovative design. Unlike traditional chitosan-based bandages that often adhere to the skin, causing potential re-bleeding upon removal, FIBROPLUG incorporates a layer of silk. This smooth interface prevents adhesion, allowing for easy and atraumatic removal without disrupting the healing process. The journey from concept to deployment began when Fibroheal approached IISc with a critical need in the homeostasis market. A student project in 2018-19, under the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme, laid the groundwork for FIBROPLUG. The product's patent is jointly held by IISc and Fibroheal, highlighting the success of this academic-industry partnership. Following rigorous testing and regulatory approvals, full-scale manufacturing commenced in late 2024. Today, FIBROPLUG is being utilised by Indian defence forces across 30 units, including field hospitals. 'The incorporation of a silk layer to the chitosan base was key," explained professor Kaushik Chatterjee of IISc to CNN-News18. 'While chitosan is excellent for inducing blood clotting, its stickiness can cause issues. The silk layer ensures effective clotting without the risk of re-bleeding upon removal." Vivek Mishra, CEO of Fibroheal, emphasises the product's life-saving potential, stating, 'Excessive bleeding accounts for a significant percentage of battlefield fatalities. FIBROPLUG's rapid absorption and coagulation capabilities can dramatically improve survival rates." Bharat Tandon, founder of Fibroheal, sees this innovation as a significant step in leveraging local resources, particularly Karnataka's silk production, for advanced medical technology. FIBROPLUG stands as a testament to Indian scientific ingenuity and the transformative power of collaboration, bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and critical real-world applications, ultimately saving lives on the front lines. First Published: May 13, 2025, 15:28 IST
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Lab bench to battlefield: Bengaluru innovation helps save lives
BENGALURU: An innovative haemostatic dressing developed by scientists at IISc and manufactured by a Bengaluru-based startup from its Doddaballapur unit is proving to be an asset for Indian defence forces , providing rapid bleeding control in emergency battlefield situations along the border. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The innovative product ( FIBROPLUG ), a patented technology developed through industry-academic collaboration — IISc and Fibroheal Woundcare Pvt Ltd — is a silk-chitosan composite haemostat. The product's unique bio-composite formulation facilitates rapid clotting while establishing a protective barrier over wound sites, making it an essential tool for military healthcare professionals operating in challenging conditions. Fibroheal co-founder Vivek Mishra told TOI that in just the past week, the startup has supplied 5,000 units of FIBROPLUG to 16 field hospitals spread across the western and northern dressing features a two-layered structure, with a base of chitosan (derived from shellfish) that quickly attracts blood cells and initiates clotting, topped with a layer made of silk fibroin infused with silica particles. 'This combination overcomes limitations of existing haemostatic products. While traditional chitosan-based bandages are often sticky and can cause rebleeding when removed, FIBROPLUG's silk layer forms a smooth barrier against the skin, preventing adhesion and allowing for easy removal without disturbing the healing wound,' Prof Kaushik Chatterjee from IISc, who lab developed the technology which has been transferred to Fibroheal, told TOI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Laboratory tests on rats demonstrated the dressing's effectiveness, stopping bleeding in just over 30 seconds while leaving no residue or causing rebleeding. Human applications have shown similarly impressive results, with bleeding control achieved in under two minutes—significantly faster than conventional dressings. The product is available in four different delivery systems and various sizes, enabling effective haemorrhage control across a range of traumatic wounds, including difficult and deep injuries. Fibroheal, founded in 2017 by Mishra and Bharat Tandon, was established with the vision of addressing critical gaps in the Indian wound care and medtech segment by harnessing the biomaterial applications of silk proteins. The company approached researchers at IISc led by Prof Chatterjee in 2018, initiating a partnership that would eventually yield results. 'Our first engagement with the armed forces happened before. That was for a special forces unit, details of which we cannot share. I think once our product got qualified with them, the other orders started coming in," Mishra said. 'We started receiving orders from the last week of April.' While FIBROPLUG has proven very useful in military settings, its potential extends well beyond the battlefield. The same technology that saves lives on the front lines can be equally effective in civilian emergency scenarios, from car accidents and kitchen mishaps to playground injuries. The dressing's ease of use makes it suitable for inclusion in ambulances, hospitals, schools and homes, potentially democratising access to advanced wound care across India. While Fibroheal continues to expand production at its Doddaballapur facility, Vijay Singh, IP manager at IISc's IPTeL (Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing) said: '...The project goes on to show not only Indian scientific ingenuity but also a model for successful industry-institute collaboration that translates academic research into life-saving products with global potential.'
