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.
102 Members with Topical capabilities.
The University of Texas System is a leading public university system in the United States, dedicated to improving lives through education, health care, and research. With over 256,000 students enrolled across 14 institutions, the UT System is committed to providing affordable access to higher education and producing a skilled workforce to drive Texas's economy.
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.
Vascarta Inc. is a pharmaceutical company that has developed a patented topical/transdermal delivery platform aimed at improving the bioavailability of drugs, particularly curcumin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The company focuses on addressing unmet medical needs through innovative formulations that enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.
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.
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research, teaching, and community engagement. As a premier public research university, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a catalyst for socioeconomic development, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
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.
UTMB is dedicated to supporting research, education, and scholarly endeavors, with a focus on creating the future of healthcare through innovative research and community engagement.
The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia's leading research and teaching institutions, dedicated to transforming lives through education and research. UQ aims to create a better future by equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary for their chosen careers, while also addressing some of the world's most complex challenges through innovative research.
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 Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina fosters innovation by preparing engineers and computing professionals to develop new technologies that will improve lives and the world. The college is committed to addressing real-world challenges through education, research, and community engagement.
Limax Biosciences is dedicated to revolutionizing tissue healing through innovative biomaterials inspired by the natural slime of slugs. Their hydrogels provide superior adhesion and healing capabilities, addressing unmet medical needs both inside and outside the body.
The UT Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) specializes in applying cutting-edge technologies to real-world engineering problems. Our collaborative endeavors reflect a commitment to excellence, integrity, and respect for all, bringing economic growth and fulfillment to our families, business partners, university, and community.
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.
Altec
Autonomous Rehabilitation Device for Improved Recovery in Warfighters
The OSCIR platform—developed by Altec Inc in collaboration with the Naval Health Research Center—is bringing clinical-grade, real-time movement analysis to the front lines. Funded under MTEC-22-02-MPAI