Topical
Topical capability covers wound-care products applied directly to skin and open injuries — antimicrobial dressings, hemostatic agents, localized analgesics, bioactive gels and scaffolds that reduce infection, manage hemorrhage, modulate inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration in austere and prolonged-field-care settings.
Technical Challenges
Rapid control of hemorrhage and exsanguination from complex blast and penetrating wounds with topical agents alone.
Prevention and treatment of biofilm-forming and antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) organisms at the wound interface.
Sustained delivery of therapeutics (antibiotics, growth factors, analgesics) in contaminated, wet, or moving wound environments.
Balancing hemostasis and infection control with preservation of tissue viability and minimizing scarring during regeneration.
Emerging Opportunities
Topicals that reliably treat polymicrobial biofilms and AMR pathogens without systemic toxicity.
Long-acting, single-application dressings that maintain hemostasis and local therapy for days under austere conditions.
Portable, field-stable formulations that resist heat/cold extremes and have extended shelf life.
Rapid diagnostic-linked topicals that adapt therapy based on in-situ pathogen or biomarker detection.
Current and Emerging Technologies in Topical
Advanced antimicrobial dressings
Silver-, iodine-, and polymer-based sustained-release antimicrobials; antimicrobial peptides and nanomaterials designed to disrupt biofilms and limit resistance development.
Topical hemostatics and pro-coagulant matrices
Chitosan, kaolin, and synthetic peptide-based hemostats and sprayable matrices that rapidly staunch bleeding and integrate with dressings for junctional and non-compressible wounds.
Bioactive and regenerative topical systems
Hydrogels, scaffolds, and cell- or exosome-containing matrices that deliver growth factors, modulate inflammation, and support soft-tissue and dermal regeneration after trauma.
Localized drug-delivery and controlled-release platforms
Biodegradable microparticles, nanocarriers, and adhesive films for extended local antibiotic, analgesic, or growth factor release reducing need for systemic therapy.
Smart dressings and biosensor-integrated topicals
pH, temperature, and biomarker sensors embedded in dressings to alert clinicians to infection or ischemia and enable on-demand release of therapeutics.
Field-stable formulations and delivery devices
Lyophilized gels, room-temperature-stable powders, spray systems and single-application kits engineered for prolonged storage and rapid deployment in austere environments.
Importance to Military Medicine
Immediate hemorrhage control
Topicals can provide rapid, point-of-injury hemostasis for junctional and extremity wounds when evacuation is delayed.
Infection prevention in contaminated wounds
Local antimicrobials reduce systemic antibiotic use, slow AMR emergence, and protect against polymicrobial battlefield contamination.
Prolonged and distributed care support
Durable, single-application products extend durable care timelines in far-forward, maritime, or austere settings where evacuation and repeated dressing changes are infeasible.
Facilitates rapid return to duty and civilian care transitions
Improved topical care shortens morbidity, reduces secondary infection and readmission, and accelerates rehabilitation and mission readiness.
Alignment with the MTEC Mission
Directly supports DoD priorities in combat casualty care, prolonged field care, and force readiness by delivering deployable, evidence-based topical interventions.
Enables rapid transition from bench to field through MTEC’s consortium model: multi-disciplinary teams, DoD collaboration, and accelerated prototyping.
Addresses biodefense and infectious-disease readiness by focusing on AMR, biofilm mitigation, and point-of-injury diagnostics linked to topical therapies.
Promotes dual-use innovation that benefits civilian trauma care, disaster response, and public health preparedness.
Dual-Use (Military + Civilian) Applications
Civilian trauma centers adopt military-grade topical hemostats and dressings for mass-casualty and emergency use.
Chronic wound and diabetic-foot care benefit from antimicrobial and regenerative dressings developed for battlefield contamination and delayed care.
Public-health and disaster-response stockpiles use field-stable topical kits for rapid deployment after natural disasters or mass exposures.
Telemedicine-integrated dressings provide remote monitoring and decision support for prolonged-field-care and civilian telehealth follow-up.
Explore MTEC Members with Topical Capabilities
MTEC members bring multidisciplinary expertise—biomaterials, microbiology, trauma surgery, and regulatory pathways—accelerating translation from prototypes to field-ready topical solutions.
Members provide manufacturing scale-up, stability testing, and DoD-focused clinical trial design to ensure products meet operational requirements for deployment and sustainment.
Consortium collaboration enables pairing of diagnostics, biosensors, and adaptive therapeutics to create intelligent topical systems tailored for battlefield and civilian needs.
Explore MTEC member profiles to identify partners with wound-healing expertise, GMP manufacturing, and military medical trial experience to accelerate topical innovations into practice.
66 Members with Topical capabilities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.
Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is Maryland’s public health, law, and human services university. It is dedicated to improving the human condition and serving the public good through education, research, clinical care, and service. UMB is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland and offers a wide range of professional degrees in health care, human services, and law.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a top doctoral and research institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Established in 1947, UNCW has grown to serve nearly 18,000 students and employs about 2,500 staff. The university is dedicated to providing a powerful academic experience that fosters creative inquiry, critical thinking, and thoughtful expression in a beautiful coastal setting. UNCW is committed to educational excellence, community engagement, and global connections, making it a vibrant part of the southeastern North Carolina community. UNCW also emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and mutual respect within its diverse community.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is dedicated to transforming today's learners into tomorrow's leaders through innovative education, research, and community engagement. With over 125 academic programs, UMKC fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers students to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.
Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world, dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With a history of innovation spanning nearly 150 years, Mayo Clinic is committed to transforming healthcare through research, education, and compassionate care, ensuring that the best possible treatment is available to everyone.
Adipothera develops therapies targeting the stromal microenvironment to treat diseases driven by fibrosis and inflammation. Using AI, computation, and multi-modal datasets, the company generates and validates drug candidates aimed at repairing tissue rather than managing symptoms. Their approach focuses on stromal reprogramming for conditions such as radiation injury, lymphedema, and pathological bone formation.
Temple University is Philadelphia’s only public university and a global center of academic excellence. It is classified as an R1 institution, indicating very high research activity, and offers over 600 academic programs across 17 diverse schools and colleges. The university is committed to providing accessible education that fosters positive change and prepares students to become leaders in their fields. Additionally, Temple emphasizes a vibrant campus life enriched by arts, culture, and a commitment to diversity and inclusivity. The university also promotes a tobacco-free environment to enhance the health and well-being of its community. Temple's athletics program further enhances student life, with 19 varsity teams competing at the NCAA Division I level, fostering school spirit and community engagement.
The Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (OSPA) at the University of Kentucky is dedicated to transforming tomorrow by streamlining grants and contracts. OSPA provides essential services to faculty and staff, including assistance with proposal preparation, award negotiation, and compliance with sponsor policies.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is a nonprofit research and development organization that provides independent, premier services to government and industry clients. Founded in 1947, SwRI is committed to advancing science and technology to benefit humanity, focusing on innovative solutions that improve human health and safety. With a diverse range of technical divisions, SwRI addresses complex challenges in various fields including mechanical engineering, materials, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and more.
University of California San Francisco
TemPredict: AI-Driven Wearable Monitoring for Early Illness Detection and Warfighter Readiness
TemPredict: AI wearables detect early illness and health risks to support warfighter readiness.
Arizona State University
ASU Crosscutting Technologies to Enhance Military Medical Readiness and Resilience
Dr. Rachel Cassalia leads MTEC-supported efforts at ASU to shift military health from reactive care to proactive readiness through data-driven prevention.
University of Pittsburgh
Topical Metformin Lotion for Tendinopathy Prevention
University of Pittsburgh study shows topical metformin prevents overuse tendon injury. This work was sponsored through MTEC project 22-02-MPAI-014.
Theradaptive
Theradaptive’s RESTORE Trial Initiation for OsteoAdapt™ DE
Theradaptive launches RESTORE Phase I/II trial of OsteoAdapt™ DE for faster, precision bone healing in craniofacial injuries. MTEC-funded study targets improved recovery for military and civilian patients.