Pakistan has achieved a major milestone by developing its first-ever lifesaving Hemostatic Dressing, which can stop bleeding almost instantly. This innovative product, named KytoStat®, was created by a team at the Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM) at COMSATS University Islamabad Lahore Campus, led by Dr. Muhammad Yar. It uses a cost-effective biopolymer called chitosan, sourced from marine life.
KytoStat® has gained approval from the Drug and Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) and has been patented by the Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan (IPO). This advancement places Pakistan among the few nations globally to have developed such technology after extensive trials.
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The dressing addresses a critical need, as abnormal bleeding from incidents like road accidents is a leading cause of death worldwide, claiming nearly five million lives annually. Specifically, road traffic crashes alone account for about 146,000 deaths and 2.8 million injuries each year.
KytoStat® utilizes a glycosaminoglycan-based biopolymer to interact with blood components, quickly forming a platelet clot at the bleeding site and halting the blood flow.
Dr. Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Head of IRCBM at COMSATS University Islamabad, highlighted the significance of KytoStat®, noting the high cost and limited accessibility of imported hemostatic dressings in Pakistan. This locally developed product is affordable and readily available, with multiple sizes for over-the-counter use and adoption by hospitals, addressing the urgent need for effective bleeding control solutions.
Prof. Tariq Iqbal, Head of the Burn Center at PIMS Hospital, emphasized the importance of such hemostatic dressings in managing bleeding and promoting wound healing, especially in developing countries like Pakistan, where the lack of trauma centers and organized emergency response systems poses significant challenges.
Life Saving First-Aid
The KytoStat® dressing is a lifesaving first aid solution that can quickly halt bleeding from injuries such as those sustained in road accidents or bomb blasts. Its easy application helps maintain blood volume while patients are transported to trauma centers.
Prof. Mustehsan Bashir, a leading plastic surgeon in Lahore, notes that many patients are taken to the nearest hospital using available transportation, often without any trained medical personnel or initial first aid. He emphasizes the importance of a hemostatic dressing like KytoStat® to control bleeding during the transfer to healthcare facilities.
In addition to its use in trauma care, KytoStat® is proving beneficial in dentistry. Dr. Sharjeel, a prominent dentist from Lahore, has observed excellent results with KytoStat® in managing post-extraction bleeding. It forms a clot in under three minutes, reducing pain and discomfort while speeding up healing.
This local innovation has potential applications beyond medical settings, including support for law enforcement in dangerous situations and emergency services in remote areas. The COMSATS team is working with Cotton Craft Pvt Ltd to manufacture KytoStat® and is exploring opportunities to export it globally.
