Abram Scientific's $8.3 Million DARPA Contract to Enhance Trauma Diagnostics

Abram Scientific Secures $8.3 Million DARPA Contract

Abram Scientific, a leading figure in the development of advanced medical diagnostics, has announced a significant stride in trauma care. The company has been awarded a contract of up to $8.3 million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to enhance its innovative CoagCare™ system. This rapid, handheld blood coagulation testing platform is aimed at improving outcomes in trauma settings where every second counts.

The Need for Enhanced Trauma Diagnostics

Trauma care is one of the most urgent fields in medicine, particularly in scenarios involving severe blood loss. Conventional blood products, while necessary for saving lives, often face challenges such as the requirement for continuous cold storage and a limited shelf life. These logistical hurdles can be debilitating in military settings or remote environments where resources are strictly limited. Moreover, the inability to deliver timely and accurate blood coagulation information can lead to preventable deaths following traumatic injuries.

This is where DARPA's Resuscitation and Prevention of Ischemia-Induced Dysfunction (RAPIID) program comes into play. Its goal is to create a robust, shelf-stable blood analog system, and rapid point-of-care diagnostics that can be used to manage and administer this life-saving system effectively. Abram Scientific's CoagCare platform aligns perfectly with this mission, bridging the gap in existing diagnostic technologies, which are often slow and cumbersome.

CoagCare™: A Game Changer

The CoagCare system represents a revolutionary approach to coagulation diagnostics. Designed to deliver rapid assessments of blood coagulation status, it provides actionable insights that can guide clinical decisions. Its compact meter, paired with a single-use diagnostic test card, utilizes proprietary technology to measure the physical properties of whole blood rapidly.

In less than 10 minutes, the CoagCare system can evaluate the coagulation process, identifying issues related to bleeding or clot formation. Unlike conventional methods such as thromboelastography (TEG) and thromboelastometry (ROTEM), which can take up to 60 minutes to yield results, the CoagCare system offers a near-instantaneous solution. This efficiency is critical in time-sensitive situations, such as emergency medical care conducted in ambulances or MEDEVAC helicopters.

Moreover, the CoagCare's portable and durable design aims to facilitate coagulation testing in varied environments, including those lacking standard laboratory conditions. Given that swift access to coagulation information could be the difference between life and death, the development of this technology represents a substantial advancement in trauma care.

Future Prospects

The recent DARPA award is merely a continuation of previous funding efforts, including a $2 million contract awarded in October 2025 to further miniaturize the CoagCare system. With the latest financing, Abram Scientific not only plans to optimize its system for use with the newly developed blood analog components under the RAPIID program, but it also aims to establish manufacturing capabilities for both the CoagCare meter and disposable test card.

Working in tandem with Octapharma AG, a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing, this partnership will bolster the development efforts further. Octapharma's expertise in producing human therapies ensures that the CoagCare platform will have the necessary support to meet FDA requirements for both civilian and military applications.

According to Abhishek Ramkumar, CEO and founder of Abram Scientific, this initiative underscores the importance of transitioning laboratory-quality coagulation assessments closer to patients in critical situations. The ability to provide fast, reliable diagnostic information not only serves military needs but extends to civilian uses during trauma and surgical procedures.

Overall, Abram Scientific’s commitment to improving trauma care through innovative technologies like CoagCare paves the way for enhanced treatment protocols that could potentially save countless lives. As the company forges ahead with development and manufacturing, the importance of such advancements in coagulation management will undoubtedly grow in significance, particularly in high-pressure environments.

Conclusion

With the backing of DARPA, Abram Scientific is positioned to make profound impacts in the medical field, particularly regarding trauma care. This funding not only exemplifies the government's recognition of the potential of advanced diagnostics but also showcases Abram's innovative approach in tackling the challenges faced in both military and civilian medical practices.