Organogenesis Inc. announced Tuesday that it has beenawarded a U.S. patent on its collagen constructs.

The patent, No. 5,256,418, covers the Canton, Mass., company'sdense fibrillar collagen (DFC) constructs, whose properties ofstrength and structure have been improved over otherstructures formed from purified natural collagen.

Organogenesis (ASE:ORG) claims that its technology allows it toreconstitute collagen into structures that are strong enough toperform in the body and that are gradually remodeled intofunctional tissue by the body's own cells.

The company is developing a number of collagen-basedmedical devices for applications in wound care, orthopedic,cardiovascular and other surgical procedures.

In August, Organogenesis entered into a collaborativeagreement with Biomet Inc. of Warsaw, Ind., to developorthopedic implants using its DFC constructs. Preclinical trials toevaluate the strength, durability and healing capabilities of DFCare currently under way at the Memorial Medical Center ofLong Beach, Calif. -- Jennifer Van Brunt

(c) 1997 American Health Consultants. All rights reserved.