Rapid Injectable Hemorrhage Control for Noncompressible Bleeding
Published on June 14, 2026
Supported by the MTEC Military Prototype Advancement Initiative (MPAI) award MTEC-21-06-MPAI-078, Cayuga Biotech is advancing CAY001, an injectable hemostatic drug designed to rapidly control noncompressible internal bleeding—a leading cause of preventable death following traumatic injury. In preclinical studies, CAY001 stopped severe hemorrhage within minutes and has now progressed into a Phase 1 human clinical trial. If successful, this portable, field-deployable therapy could significantly improve warfighter survivability by enabling rapid treatment of internal bleeding in austere and prolonged field care environments.
Rapid Injectable Hemorrhage Control for Noncompressible Bleeding: Cayuga Biotech
The Problem: Noncompressible hemorrhage remains the leading cause of preventable death following traumatic injury, particularly in combat and austere environments. Survival is highly dependent on rapid intervention within the “golden hour,” yet delivering effective hemorrhage control in battlefield conditions is extremely challenging due to limited resources, delayed evacuation, and the difficulty of treating internal bleeding that cannot be controlled with external compression. Current treatment options are often insufficient for deep or inaccessible injuries, creating an urgent need for therapies that are portable, easy to administer, and effective across a wide range of injury types. If this challenge remains unsolved, warfighters will continue to face preventable mortality from hemorrhage, reduced survivability during prolonged field care, and an increased burden on military medical systems.
Solution & Progress:Cayuga Biotech is developing CAY001, an injectable hemostatic drug designed to rapidly reach noncompressible injury sites and accelerate clot formation to control internal bleeding. Unlike traditional external hemorrhage control methods, CAY001 is engineered to function systemically, enabling treatment of bleeding that cannot be accessed through compression or surgical intervention in far-forward environments. In a validated severe noncompressible hemorrhage animal model, CAY001 demonstrated rapid efficacy, stopping hemorrhage within six minutes, while control-treated animals experienced life-threatening blood loss. With support from the MTEC Military Prototype Advancement Initiative (MPAI) award, CAY001 has advanced from preclinical development into a Phase 1 human clinical trial, marking a significant milestone toward clinical translation. Earlier military-supported programs, including funding from DARPA and Army SBIR initiatives, enabled foundational preclinical development that positioned the technology for this transition.
Impact & the Role of MTEC: If successful, CAY001 has the potential to significantly reduce hemorrhage-related mortality by enabling rapid treatment of internal bleeding during the critical early window following injury. As a synthetic drug, CAY001 can be stocked, transported, and administered in far-forward settings, improving the ability of medics to stabilize casualties before evacuation. This capability directly supports improved warfighter survivability, enhances readiness during prolonged field care operations, and strengthens the military’s ability to manage traumatic injuries in resource-constrained environments. MTEC and its Government sponsor have played a pivotal role in accelerating this effort, with the current award MTEC-21-06-MPAI-078 supports the ongoing clinical trial and enables the transition from preclinical validation to human evaluation. Together with earlier military investments from DARPA and Army SBIR programs, this support has advanced CAY001 along the critical pathway toward operational deployment and real-world clinical impact.
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Cayuga Biotech
Cayuga Biotech is dedicated to harnessing the body's innate ability to halt bleeding and heal, addressing significant unmet needs in hemorrhage control and bleeding disorders through proprietary science and innovative solutions.
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