21-05-2025
Defence Forces bank on Fibroheal-IISc's Hemostatic Sponge to tackle critical injuries
New Delhi: Medical professionals in the
Indian armed forces
are placing their trust in a homegrown, patented
hemostatic sponge
to control bleeding caused by accidental, surgical, and field injuries among soldiers.
The product,
FIBROPLUG
, was jointly developed by
Fibroheal Woundcare
and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, with support from he Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (
BIRAC
), a public sector undertaking under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Under its SBIRI scheme, BIRAC contributed 80 per cent of the funding required for the development of the device.
The company has reported a significant increase in product orders from the defence establishment, with more than 3,000 units dispatched in the last five days, and additional orders currently pending.
'The innovation demonstrates the catalytic effect of targeted support and collaboration on India's innovation ecosystem. Through our SBIRI and PCP schemes, BIRAC is proud to have enabled the translation of cutting-edge research into an affordable, world-class healthcare solution addressing the critical need for
rapid haemorrhage control
,' said Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director, BIRAC.
FIBROPLUG is a patented hemostatic sponge made from a novel bio-composite of silk, chitosan, and silica, designed to create a protective barrier over wounds and enable rapid bleeding control.
According to the company, the product is priced at nearly one-fourth the cost of imported alternatives, making it a cost-effective and efficient tool for accidental, surgical, and field injuries—ideal for frontline use during large-scale humanitarian and defence operations.
Fibroheal launched the sponge in 2023 and is currently manufacturing it at a capacity of 5,000 units per month.
