Regenerative medicine project nAngioDerm has been funded with €747K ($822K) from the EU to bring solutions for acute wounds and chronic ulcers that cannot heal unaided.
According to studies, the global burden for skin and subcutaneous diseases has increased rapidly over a 10-year period, with a prevalence of 605 million in year 2015 compared to 493 million in 2005. As many as 20 million people globally were reported in 2009 as living with acute wounds, formed as a result of surgery or chronic skin ulcers.
Wound care is associated with significant costs and has become a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. In a UK study on the health outcomes, resource implications and associated costs attributable to managing wounds in 2012/2013, the annual cost to the NHS (National Health Service) in managing wounds was estimated to be £4.5–5.1 billion. Strategies are being sought to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and healing rates.
Microlight3D, one of five project partners, will develop a 3D-printer along with a process for cell-scaffold application - a structure used in tissue engineering that provides support, allowing living tissue to regenerate itself and facilitate healing.
The lead partner, the Institute for Bioengineering in Catalonia (IBEC), will be responsible for bringing its research capacity in bio-active ions and bioengineering to the nAngioDerm project and coordinating the contributions of the other partners: the University of Ioannina (Greece); the Universitario Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Spain); the University of Grenoble (France); and Microlight3D.
Microlight3D’s selection was based on its ability to develop 3D-printers that can print into biomaterials with sub-cell resolution and precision.
Microlight3D, one of five project partners, will develop a 3D-printer along with a process for cell-scaffold application - a structure used in tissue engineering that provides support, allowing living tissue to regenerate itself and facilitate healing.
The lead partner, the Institute for Bioengineering in Catalonia (IBEC), will be responsible for bringing its research capacity in bio-active ions and bioengineering to the nAngioDerm project and coordinating the contributions of the other partners: the University of Ioannina (Greece); the Universitario Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Spain); the University of Grenoble (France); and Microlight3D.
Microlight3D’s selection was based on its ability to develop 3D-printers that can print into biomaterials with sub-cell resolution and precision.
Work on the project starts in this month and will run for 36 months.
Denis Barbier, CEO of Microlight3D, said: 'Collaborating with such high-level academic organisations on such a key health issue is further recognition of the value of our 3D microprinting technology for regenerative medicine applications. This project is a great opportunity in helping to further develop our micro-scale 3D printing systems for use in future health applications.'
The other partners involved in the project will develop a new process and new products involving ion-release bio-materials which will promote angiogenesis for dermal regeneration. This demands skilled competences in tissue engineering, bio-active ions and cell-scaffold 3D-printing.
nAngioDerm falls within the scope of EuroNanoMed3 (2016-2021), which supports multidisciplinary and translational research and innovation projects covering regenerative medicine, diagnostics and targeted delivery systems, under the Horizon 2020 programme.
