Vetigel, made from algae, instantly stops bleeding and could potentially eliminate the need for stitches.
Most 17-year-olds don’t slave away trying to invent medical applications that could transform our healing process, but Joe Landolina wasn’t like most 17-year-olds. The now-22-year-old began developing his product 5 years ago, and today, he’s the cofounder of biotech company Suneris, which manufactures the revolutionary gel that stops bleeding in under 12 seconds.
Vetigel is made from a natural algae-based-polymer, which works by forming an adhesive mesh-like structure to hold together a wound. In an interview with Business Insider, Landolina said that once the gel is injected into a wound, it can form a clot within 12 seconds and permanently heal the wound within minutes.
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Landolina explains that fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting, helps with long-term tissue repairs. When Vetigel creates the mesh-like protection on wounds, it also helps the body produce fibrin at the wound’s surface. The gel only needs to be applied to the wound for a few minutes to work its magic, and then it can be safely removed.
Right now, Vetigel is being sold exclusively for veterinarian use at $150 per five-pack of 5-millimeter syringes, however Landolina expects the product to receive FDA approval for human testing within the next year. Its possible human applications range from the surgical market to military use and trauma treatment. Severe burn victims might also be able to benefit from Vetigel. On its website, Suneris states, "Our goal is to have our products in every emergency room, soldier’s belt and operating room."
Amazingly, Landolina says that the company has yet to see any negative side effects caused by Vetigel. While it’s currently only being used to heal our four-legged friends, hopefully the same will hold true when it moves forward to human application.
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