Empire State Review Team 
BROOKLYN – A pioneering gel that has the ability to halt severe bleeding instantly is currently being produced in a sterile lab in Brooklyn, and it is on track for nationwide distribution.
A Game-Changer in Emergency Medicine: The Rise of TraumaGel
Overview:
Known as TraumaGel, this innovative plant-based product was initially discovered by a young inventor and has the potential to revolutionize the way emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and hospitals handle trauma cases.
However, families eager for a consumer version of the gel will need to wait a little longer.
Mechanism of Action: Stopping Bleeding on Contact
Within Cresilon Inc.’s highly sterile facility located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, each syringe of TraumaGel is meticulously produced. This gel, which has a consistency similar to hummus, is formulated to halt bleeding almost immediately. Upon application to a moderate or severe wound, it utilizes long polymer chains to exert pressure on both sides, creating a seal that effectively prevents blood loss and provides vital time for medical responders.
“The polymer chains in here are long. They’re almost on a millimeter scale. And so that means that it’s only a couple atoms wide, but very, very long chains that can hold from either side of the wound and maintain that pressure,” explained Joe Landolina, co-founder of Cresilon Inc.
The Origins: How a Teenager’s Curiosity Led to Innovation
Background:
TraumaGel’s journey began in a modest laboratory situated in a Hudson Valley vineyard. Joe Landolina, a teenager from Brooklyn, was experimenting with algae and biomaterials when he stumbled upon a sticky compound that adhered to skin and remained in place until intentionally removed. That discovery ignited his interest in biotechnology, and by age 17, he was enrolled at NYU, laying the groundwork for a larger endeavor.
“Science that’s made here in Brooklyn is what drives me,” said Landolina.
“I was trying to extract polymers out of algae for something else, as you do as a 17-year-old, and I noticed that this material I made would stick to skin, and it wouldn’t let go until I wanted it to,” he recounted.
Transforming Veterinary Medicine to Human Application
In 2010, Landolina founded Cresilon from his dorm room alongside co-founder Isaac Miller, initially developing a veterinary product named Vetigel designed to treat bleeding in animals.
Vetigel has successfully saved over 65,000 animal lives across 34 countries, establishing a solid foundation for the development of TraumaGel aimed at human use.
Real-World Testing: Proven Effectiveness in Trauma Situations
Current Impact:
Following FDA approval last year, TraumaGel has been included in pilot programs across cities such as Boston, New Orleans, Denver, and Columbus. Paramedics have reported successful utilization in treating gunshot wounds and other severe injuries, often achieving results within seconds.
“If it’s in an arm or leg, you can put this product on, and it enables you to control bleeding almost instantly,” Landolina noted, adding that the gel has seen application in such emergencies at least once each week.
The results have been encouraging, highlighting the potential for TraumaGel to transform emergency medical responses. However, prominent agencies like the FDNY and NYPD have yet to fully integrate the gel into their protocols, a gap Landolina believes will close in time.
Looking Forward: National Expansion and Future Availability
Future Prospects:
Cresilon is currently enhancing production capabilities with plans for a broader national launch. Each syringe of TraumaGel is manufactured, filled, and packaged in stringent sterile conditions at its Brooklyn facility, marking a significant innovation set to impact lives nationwide.
However, there is a limitation: TraumaGel is currently not available to the public. While EMTs and medical facilities are beginning to recognize its value in the field, it will not be found on the shelves of local pharmacies just yet. Yet, Cresilon asserts that this could soon change, providing hope for families managing everyday cuts and injuries.
“Science that’s made here in Brooklyn is what drives me. It’s what drives most of the teammates here at Cresilon, because we know that we’re able, in what’s very likely, someone’s worst day of their lives, we’re able to make a little difference and help them move forward, and ideally, help save their lives…. because we know, on someone’s worst day, we might help them live through it,” said Landolina.
