Burns
Burn care spans rapid stabilization, fluid resuscitation, debridement, infection control, definitive wound coverage and reconstruction. Military-relevant burns often coexist with polytrauma, inhalation injury, and delayed evacuation, requiring portable diagnostics, infection-resistant wound therapies, and regenerative solutions to restore skin, function, and readiness.
Technical Challenges
Rapid and accurate assessment of burn depth and total body surface area (TBSA) in austere or prehospital environments
Infection, biofilm formation, and rising antimicrobial resistance complicating wound healing and graft take
Severe pain management, fluid balance, and systemic inflammatory response in polytrauma patients
Limited access to autologous skin grafts and reliable off-the-shelf skin substitutes for large TBSA injuries
Restoring functional, aesthetic outcomes and preventing debilitating hypertrophic scarring and contractures
Emerging Opportunities
Point-of-care diagnostics to distinguish early infection, biofilm, and burn depth for targeted therapy
Portable, durable skin substitutes and biologic matrices that integrate without complex cold chains
Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm therapeutics effective against multidrug-resistant organisms in wounds
Regenerative therapies and scar-modulating agents that accelerate functional recovery in austere settings
Decision-support tools for triage, fluid resuscitation, and surgical timing during prolonged field care
Current and Emerging Technologies in Burns
Advanced wound dressings & antimicrobial biologics
Antimicrobial-impregnated dressings, silver and iodine matrices, enzyme-based debriders and growth factor–augmented biologics to reduce infection and promote granulation.
Skin substitutes and tissue-engineered grafts
Cellular and acellular dermal matrices, cultured autografts, 3D-printed skin and composite constructs that aim to replace autograft needs and improve coverage for large TBSA burns.
Rapid diagnostics & biosensors
Point-of-care assays, molecular pathogen detection, and wound-biomarker sensors to detect infection, quantify inflammation, and guide antimicrobial stewardship in forward environments.
Regenerative medicine & scar modulation
Stem-cell therapies, ECM scaffolds, antifibrotic agents and targeted molecular modulators that reduce hypertrophic scarring and restore elasticity and function.
Telemedicine, decision support & logistics
Remote triage, burn depth imaging, algorithmic resuscitation calculators and supply-chain solutions to extend definitive care into prolonged and distributed care settings.
Importance to Military Medicine
Combat casualty care and polytrauma
Blast and flame injuries frequently accompany hemorrhage, fractures and inhalation injury; integrated burn solutions reduce mortality and morbidity in multisystem trauma.
Prolonged and austere care
Delayed evacuation and resource-limited settings demand portable diagnostics, durable dressings and therapies that maintain graft viability and prevent sepsis during extended care.
Force readiness and return to duty
Effective acute and reconstructive care reduces long-term disability, expedites rehabilitation, and preserves operational capability and workforce readiness.
Mass-casualty and humanitarian response
Scalable, easy-to-deploy technologies are essential for military-led disaster relief and civil–military partnerships during large burn incidents.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Directly supports DoD priorities for combat casualty care, rapid translation of biomedical innovations, and enhanced readiness through field-deployable solutions.
Aligns with MTEC’s mission to accelerate validation and fielding of technologies that also yield civilian health benefits after commercialization.
Bridges multidisciplinary expertise—trauma surgery, infectious disease, materials science and regenerative medicine—within MTEC’s collaborative consortium model.
Enables rapid, prototyped clinical studies and transition-to-field pathways using MTEC’s DoD-focused project funding and partner networks.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Dual-use technologies support military deployment and civilian burn centers: wound dressings, skin substitutes, infection diagnostics and teletriage platforms that scale across settings.
Commercializable biologics and regenerative products reduce long-term disability from burns in veterans and civilian trauma populations, increasing market viability.
Rapid POC diagnostics and biosensors developed for field use inform civilian emergency departments and outpatient wound clinics to improve antimicrobial stewardship.
Telemedicine, imaging and decision-support tools created for far-forward care facilitate remote consultations and rehabilitation programs across healthcare systems.
Explore MTEC Members with Burns Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary strengths—clinical burn surgeons, infectious-disease researchers, biomaterials engineers, and industry partners—to accelerate prototyping, rigorous clinical evaluation, and regulatory pathways.
Consortium capabilities in translational research, DoD-focused funding mechanisms, and established military–civilian partnerships enable faster transition from lab to field.
Explore member profiles to identify collaborators with expertise in skin engineering, anti-biofilm therapeutics, POC diagnostics, telehealth and regulatory strategy to advance burn care solutions.
156 Members with Burns capabilities.
IQVIA is a global leader in advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services for the life sciences industry. With a mission to accelerate innovation for a healthier world and a vision to power smarter healthcare for everyone, everywhere, IQVIA leverages unparalleled data, transformative technology, and deep healthcare expertise to drive better patient outcomes. Operating in over 100 countries with approximately 88,000 employees, IQVIA supports pharmaceutical, biotech, medtech, public health, and government organizations with a comprehensive portfolio of services and solutions. The company is recognized for its Connected Intelligence™, healthcare-grade AI, and commitment to sustainability, innovation, and evidence-based insights that shape the future of healthcare globally. IQVIA is also dedicated to reducing health inequities and driving sustainable change through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven solutions, partnering with organizations worldwide to address complex healthcare challenges.
The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) is a member-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the bioeconomy of the United States. Its mission encompasses enhancing manufacturing, healthcare, and education and workforce development, aiming to create a scalable and effective manufacturing ecosystem for engineered cells, tissues, and organs.
Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.
FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.
Humanetics Corporation is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focused on developing and commercializing products to enhance human health and wellbeing. Founded in 1988, the company specializes in radiation modulators, adjunctive oncology therapies, and pulmonary protective therapies, particularly for COVID-19. Humanetics is known for its lead drug candidate, BIO 300, which is being developed as a radioprotectant for military and civilian use, as well as a treatment to improve outcomes in cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The company is actively engaged in research programs for non-small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, and head and neck cancers.
VirTech Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company based in Natick, Massachusetts, focused on developing a human-derived hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier (HBOC) for use as a temporary blood substitute in trauma and transplantation. The company leverages expertise in hemoglobin polymerization to address critical needs in emergency medicine and organ preservation, with a pipeline also targeting veterinary and research applications. Process innovations allow scalable and contract-based manufacturing, supported by significant non-dilutive funding from the US Department of Defense and private investment.
Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics to combat antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. With a focus on addressing the global antibiotic resistance crisis, Armata leverages its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology to develop high-impact, best-in-class phage therapeutics. The company operates from a 56,000 square foot facility in Los Angeles, California, equipped for phage product development from bench to clinic. Armata's team of microbiologists and scientists work on discovering natural phages and enhancing them through synthetic biology and engineering to create tailored drug products for clinical trials.
The American Burn Association (ABA) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by burn injury. With over 3,000 members worldwide, ABA focuses on promoting and supporting burn-related care, prevention, education, and research. The association brings together professionals from various disciplines to advance quality care, advocate for prevention, provide educational resources, and foster research in the field of burn injuries. ABA is also recognized for its leadership in advocacy, professional development, and the establishment of best practices and guidelines for burn care. The ABA regularly hosts conferences, develops clinical guidelines, and partners with organizations to raise awareness and improve outcomes for burn survivors.
Pulsara is a purpose-driven healthcare technology company focused on improving the lives of patients and caregivers through innovative, real-time communication and collaboration. Their telehealth platform connects clinicians, EMS, hospitals, and emergency management teams on a single patient channel, enabling dynamic, scalable, and secure care coordination for any illness or injury. Pulsara's evidence-based solutions are designed to reduce treatment times, lower costs, and enhance experiences for both patients and providers. The company is recognized for its customer-first values, award-winning support, and commitment to privacy, security, and interoperability.
Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.
SanaHeal is dedicated to developing next-generation bioadhesive technologies inspired by nature to solve significant challenges in healthcare. Their innovative solutions are designed to adhere to wet and uneven surfaces, providing rapid and robust adhesion for various medical applications.
SERDA Therapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative solutions for wound care, particularly in the treatment of burn injuries and chronic ulcers. The company aims to provide fast and effective therapeutic debridement through its proprietary enzymatic product, SN514, which is designed to enhance healing by selectively removing necrotic tissue.
The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.
Spartan Medical is a medical solutions company serving VA medical centers, Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, civilian hospitals, and ambulatory surgery centers across the United States and internationally. The company specializes in advanced medical devices, surgical solutions, and support services, with a history of adapting to emergent healthcare challenges and logistical demands. Spartan Medical has provided solutions in public health crises, such as COVID-19 mitigation, and delivers comprehensive procurement, logistical, and operational support for healthcare organizations. It operates as a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and is recognized for its significant presence in federal healthcare contracting.
The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.
Memsel is a biotechnology research and development company dedicated to enhancing health and combatting infections through advanced phage therapies and targeted delivery systems. The company aims to transform healthcare solutions across human, animal, and plant domains, addressing critical health challenges and antibiotic resistance.

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