Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, and advisor to MedTech suppliers, highlights a competition to fill a gap in MedTech available for battlefield injuries and civil trauma scenarios.
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), in collaboration with Defence Medical Services (DMS) and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), has announced a new 1.5 million GBP themed competition aimed at developing novel technologies to address non-compressible haemorrhage (NCH) — a leading cause of preventable death in both military and civilian trauma scenarios.
Understanding the Challenge
Non-compressible haemorrhage refers to severe internal bleeding that cannot be controlled through external pressure or conventional methods like tourniquets. It is particularly prevalent in battlefield injuries and high-impact civilian trauma such as road accidents, falls, or violent assaults. Despite advances in trauma care, NCH remains a critical challenge due to the difficulty of managing such bleeding before surgical intervention is possible. Mortality rates for NCH can reach as high as 85.5%.
Scope and Objectives of the Competition
The competition seeks proposals for innovative, device-enabled solutions that can be deployed in prehospital settings—both combat and civilian—to control NCH. These technologies should be at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 4, meaning they are in early stages of development but have demonstrated feasibility. The goal is for funded projects to advance by at least one TRL during the course of the programme.
DASA is particularly interested in engineering-driven, design-led solutions that may repurpose technologies from non-healthcare sectors. Examples include novel mechanical devices, smart materials, or integrated systems capable of targeting bleeding sources with precision while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues.
Funding and Timeline
The total funding available is up to 1.5 million GBP, with multiple proposals potentially receiving support. The deadline for submissions is midday (GMT) on 4 November 2025, and selected projects are expected to begin in April 2026, with a maximum duration of 48 months.
To support applicants, DASA will host a Q&A webinar on 16 September 2025, followed by 15-minute one-to-one sessions on 22 and 23 September, offering tailored guidance on proposal development.
Market Exploration Insights
Prior to this competition, DASA conducted a market exploration to assess existing technologies and identify gaps in NCH treatment. Current solutions like Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) and abdominal tourniquets, while effective in some cases, require high skill levels and pose risks due to reduced perfusion to healthy tissues. Emerging concepts such as injectable expanding foam show promise but remain in early testing stage.
The exploration emphasised the need for portable, easy-to-use devices that can be operated by non-medical personnel in austere environments. Technologies should ideally allow selective targeting of bleeding organs or vessels, minimising collateral damage and preserving blood flow to non-injured areas.
Strategic Importance
This initiative reflects the UK’s commitment to advancing trauma care and saving lives in both military and civilian contexts. By fostering innovation in NCH treatment, the competition aims to bridge a critical gap in emergency medicine and enhance survivability in high-risk scenarios.
Researchers, engineers, and innovators with relevant expertise are encouraged to review the full competition documentation and submit proposals via the DASA Online Submission Service.
More Information
Additional information about the competition can be found here.
The Author used AI in preparing this article, comments upon or questions about which can be addressed to chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com.
