By the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Public Affairs Office

WASHINGTON – Effective wound care is a critical need for the U.S. Army, and KeriCure Medical has developed a technology that’s not only effective, but quick and usable on-site. When the small business, led by Dr. Kerriann Greenhalgh, submitted a proposal to xTechSearch 4 in 2019, the Army quickly realized how beneficial their wound care solution could be for Soldier wellness.

Using her foundation in organic chemistry, Dr. Greenhalgh, CEO and chief science officer, developed an advanced wound care product from her patented nanopolymer technology. This technology contains a highly elastic polymer that can stretch and move with the body. The water-based product maintains skin moisture and creates a durable, antimicrobial barrier over wounds to protect against infection. This is all done from a small, portable spray that can be applied to any type of wound.

When an injured Soldier in combat cannot be immediately evacuated for medical attention, KeriCure’s product is an effective solution to address infection and provide advanced wound care in field settings. For this reason, the small business was a finalist in xTechSearch 4 and received a cash prize of over $140,000. xTechSearch is a competition sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology that encourages small businesses to uncover novel dual-use science and technology solutions to tackle the Army’s most critical modernization challenges. Finalists receive awards that help fund research and development efforts.

“Our product fits really well with the Army’s initiative of being able to lower the logistical burden, and being able to treat multiple wounds and injuries with something that’s compact and effective for field care,” said Dr. Greenhalgh.

KeriCure has several products that are FDA-cleared and available for public consumption, including their spray-on liquid bandage and hand sanitizers. Dr. Greenhalgh also found success expanding her product offerings to include first-aid solutions for dogs and pets. As Band-Aids are not a viable solution for animals, they hope to apply their solution to military working dogs.

Another avenue for KeriCure’s products came from a suggestion of an xTech judge during the Q&A of technology pitches, where the judge asked Dr. Greenhalgh if she had explored application of her technology for mustard agent burns. Mustard agent burns cause severe pain that doesn’t typically onset until hours after exposure, and KeriCure Medical is now on their way to getting FDA clearance on a product for treating these burns, which can also impact Soldier readiness.

Dr. Greenhalgh attributes much of her business’ success in the Army space to xTech, including the growth of their advanced wound care products and the introduction of their new Field Shield products for mustard agent burns. In addition to the prize money, she noted that the pathway to the Army and mentorship were both major contributions to the success of KeriCure Medical.

“We got our woman-owned business certification, but we really couldn’t crack the code of how to get into [the Army],” said Dr. Greenhalgh. “It wasn’t until xTech that we figured out a roadmap through their guidance and mentorship.”

The mentorship relationships built via the xTech program has also lent tremendous support to the business and offers valuable input on working with the Army. KeriCure has two mentors who are knowledgeable in their field of work, and Dr. Greenhalgh noted that they’ve been champions for their products, and are also quick to offer advice when the business hits a roadblock. One of their mentors, who was previously stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army surgeon under U.S. Army Medical Command, gave KeriCure suggestions on how combat medics could utilize their products in the field, and even how to effectively package their products for frontline use.

With many exciting possibilities on the horizon, Dr. Greenhalgh is working hard to grow her wound care product line in a way that’s meaningful to our warfighters. For more information on KeriCure Medical and their products, visit their website at www.kericuremedical.com.