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The Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies group, led by Dr. Elisabeth Engel (Photo: IBEC).
 11.01.2021

Dermoglass technology developed by IBEC takes the leap into the pharmaceutical industry

Dermoglass technology, developed by the Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies group, led by Dr. Elisabeth Engel at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), has recently been licensed by IBEC to the pharmaceutical company Laboratorios ERN. The product, which is currently in the preclinical and scale-up phase of production, uses bioengineering and nanomaterials to solve a problem that affects around 100 million people in the world and that is considered a silent epidemic in the XXI century: chronic ulcers.

There are currently numerous types of skin dressings on the market that are used to heal chronic ulcers, but these simply protect and isolate them from the external environment. There are also therapies based on cells and growth factors, although they are very expensive and have contraindications.

Now, the innovative Dermoglass technology goes one step further and accelerates the healing process of ulcers with the application of nanomaterials. The product is based on particles that, when degrading, release oxygen and nutrients to the chronically ulcerated skin of people who are bedridden or in wheelchairs by stimulating skin cells such as fibroblasts and also vascularization. As a result, the healing process is faster and more definitive.This considerably reduces the negative effects for the people who suffer from them, and also the economic costs associated with their treatment.

Dermoglass becomes the first project funded by the CaixaImpulse program to be licensed to a pharmaceutical company, Laboratorios ERN, which will have the rights to exploit and commercialize this new technology in Europe. ERN will lead the development of the technology until it reaches the market, with the support of IBEC in the next phases of formulation and scaling, speeding up the technology transfer process.

The project has been developed thanks to the support of different technology recovery and transfer programs, among which are the projects financed by La Caixa Banking Foundation such as the “CaixaImpulse Validate” (2015) and the “CaixaImpulse Consolidate” (2018), keys in the counseling and mentoring process. In addition, the project has also benefited from the EIT-Health PoC PLUS program (2016) and the Goteo crowdfunding platform (2014) in the SUMA UPC Program.

» For further information: IBEC website [+]

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