Every day, around 700 women worldwide die in pregnancy or childbirth. A majority of them are in sub-Saharan Africa.
- "We cannot accept that maternal mortality is still so high," says gynecologist and obstetrician Josefin Brännström, one of the people behind the EMMA innovation that could save the lives of many mothers in the future.
If a woman is bleeding heavily during childbirth, it is urgent to stop the blood flow. If the birth takes place in a hospital, the bleeding can be treated with drugs, blood transfusions and surgery. Without these resources, the woman risks bleeding to death.
- When the large vessels in the uterus continue to pump out 600-700 milliliters of blood per minute, you have to stop the bleeding quickly or slow it down and gain time, explains Josefin Brännström, who works at Falu Hospital.
One emergency method to stop the blood flow is to press a fist against the aorta, the large artery in the body. But succeeding in doing so is not easy, says Josefin.
- You need to be trained in how and where to push and at the same time you need to be both strong and enduring.
Global benefit
Josefine's husband, Andreas Brännström, is an anesthesiologist. He has previously worked in the armed forces and has a PhD in mechanical bleeding control for major bleeding in trauma. Among other things, Andreas conducted research on a tourniquet developed by the US Armed Forces.
- The model is designed to stop bleeding by applying pressure to the aorta. "The problem is that the whole stomach is pushed in, which hurts, puts unnecessary and potentially harmful pressure on other organs in the stomach and makes it difficult for the patient to breathe," says Josefin.
Together with Andreas, she started thinking about whether it would be possible to develop a more sophisticated device - how would it be designed to have the same effect as a human fist?
- From the outset, we focused on obstetric bleeding, and saw that an easy-to-use external device could have a global impact: in resource-poor countries it could save lives, and in resource-rich countries it could save healthcare resources and reduce complications.
- Reducing blood loss is also important to help the new mother avoid the psychological trauma of heavy bleeding, Josefin explains.
We have come a long way
After much sketching at home at the kitchen table, Josefin and Andreas had finally created the basis for what would become EMMA, The Emergency Maternal Bleeding Stabilizer. Since then, the couple has developed a prototype, started the company Zerocyte Medical, brought on board a partner, designed business strategies, built their communication, sought funding and expanded their networks. Josefin has also been nominated for the prestigious Entrepreneurs' Award Young Idea of the Year 2025.
Last year, Zerocyte (zero blood) joined DRIVE, Karolinska Institutet's business incubator, and now the team is also part of Dalarna Science Park's incubator.
- "We have a co-incubation where KI provides the medical expertise, while we support other business issues," says Brita Klingberg, one of Dalarna Science Park's business coaches.
She is impressed by the team's competence and commitment, and thinks Zerocyte has come a long way in a relatively short time.
- Developing an innovation takes time and costs a lot of money, but I think they are well placed to succeed," says Brita.
Josefin is currently dividing her time between parental leave, working at Falu Lasarett and developing the company.
- Personally, I find it a bit frustrating that we don't move forward faster when we know what we want and what benefit the product can do. But we keep developing and it will take the time it takes. Because we have our regular jobs, there is no financial stress and we are able to be sustainable. But of course we want EMMA to reach out and make a difference for women as soon as possible, that's what drives us.
Zerocyte is one of the companies participating in Dalarna Science Park's incubator program funded by the EU and Region Dalarna.
