This company will build new skin for soldiers burned by IEDs

WATM Partners
Feb 5, 2020 6:59 PM PST
1 minute read
Army photo

SUMMARY

A New Zealand-based startup that works on regenerating human tissue has signed a development agreement with the U.S. Army to help treat troops who’ve sustained severe burns. The

A New Zealand-based startup that works on regenerating human tissue has signed a development agreement with the U.S. Army to help treat troops who've sustained severe burns.


The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or CRADA, between Upside Technologies and the Army's Medical Research and Materiel Command includes the company's engineered skin product to treat wounds from IEDs and explosions.

"This U.S. Army input will be hugely valuable to Upside and will fully assist us in successfully progressing our product to the benefit of all burn sufferers, including U.S. warriors," said Upside Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Feldman.

A graphic showing the new lab-made skin next to true human skin. (Photo from Upside Technologies)

Upside's technology enables a small sample of unburnt patient skin to be grown in the laboratory into large areas of full-thickness skin. The lab-grown skin can be used as skin grafts in patients.

The Upside skin is said to be produced faster than that of any competitive product and has handling characteristics preferred by surgeons.

The Army "is pleased to provide guidance to Upside Biotechnologies as it navigates the U.S. FDA approval process for a novel skin replacement product," said Susan Taylor, product manager for the Tissue Injury and Regenerative Medicine Project Management Office at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.

Burn wounds from explosions and IEDs continue to plague troops in war zones and account for a large portion of America's casualties, statistics show.

"This product may provide a critical solution in the treatment of service members who have sustained severe burns," Taylor added. "Our goal is to help Upside move this product as quickly and as safely as possible through the regulatory process, so it is available to our wounded service members."

 

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