Hemostatic agents have been used for over a hundred years to prevent bleeding in the surgical situation. Primarily these products were first introduced to prevent hematomas during surgery with the aim of preventing resultant infections. During the 1980s and 1990s, the popularity of hemostats increased rapidly as surgeons tried to avoid excessive use of blood transfusions for reasons of economy and the threat of disease transmission.
Hemostat products can be classified in six subsegments depending on their active principle: thrombin, gelatin, collagen, fibrin, synthetic materials, and other miscellaneous products that exhibit additional attributes.
The barriers for entry to the hemostasis market are reducing as many companies develop formulations of collagen and gelatin formulations for world markets. Currently, over 50 companies worldwide have products on the market for hemostatic applications. However, a number of proprietary products and formulations still face significant regulatory hurdles associated with their development and manufacture. Most of the companies currently offering hemostat products are also actively pursuing new technologies and regulatory submissions for new products. In addition, a number of new companies are progressing additional and new technologies to market.
Sales in topical absorbable hemostats are forecast to increase at a roughly 7.5% compound annual growth rate through 2013. This growth will be fuelled by increased incidence of surgery, greater adoption of these products within the European surgical environment, and the need for improved hemostasis products during minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Excerpted from Report #S175, "Worldwide Surgical Sealants, Glues and Wound Closure Market, 2009."
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