Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine are exploring avenues to heal wounds by identifying proteins that are active in fetuses, but largely inactive in adults and absent in diabetic adults. They have identified a protein called nonselenocysteine-containing phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, or NPGPx, that fits the bill and could be the basis for therapies aimed at diabetic wound healing. NPGPx is a direct transcriptional target of miR-29. miR-29 is downregulated in fetal tissue, thus NPGPx is active in fetal tissue but becomes mostly inactive in the skin after birth.

Urgo Group SAS has launched, in the presence of the Minister of Health François Braun, the creation of Genesis research laboratory on artificial skin. “Our objective with this novel tissue engineering laboratory is to create artificial skin for helping the health care professionals in the effective treatment of severe wounds and quickly curing the patients,” Guirec Le Lous, CEO of Paris-based Urgo Medical, told BioWorld. Urgo Medical is the advance wound care division of Urgo Group SAS.

Unlike amphibians, mammals do not regenerate appendages. Except when they do. “If you amputate one of the branches off of the antler [of a reindeer], it will also regenerate,” Jeff Biernaskie told BioWorld. Even without amputation, the antlers of both male and female reindeer regenerate annually, including their skin. That regeneration is “the only large mammal model of true skin regeneration,” he said.

Unlike amphibians, mammals do not regenerate appendages. Except when they do. “If you amputate one of the branches off of the antler [of a reindeer], it will also regenerate,” Jeff Biernaskie told BioWorld. Even without amputation, the antlers of both male and female reindeer regenerate annually, including their skin. That regeneration is “the only large mammal model of true skin regeneration,” he said.

Rokit Healthcare Inc. received approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for Dfurege, its artificial organ platform to treat diabetic foot ulcers. “We hope that having a South Korean approval for this platform will be a boost for our planned IPO,” Seok Hwan You, CEO at Rokit, told BioWorld.

Aatru Medical LLC has received FDA 510(k) class II clearance for a platform that turns its back on electro-mechanical components in other negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems. Deployed for closed surgical incision applications, the Negative Pressure Surgical Incision Management System (NPSIMS) is a single-use, disposable platform that could help reduce the 20% of hospital infections attributed to surgical site infections (SSI).

PARIS – Magnetic fields can be used to stimulate blood vessel growth, according to a new study published in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. The discovery, by researchers from the University of Lisbon in Portugal, could lead to new treatments for cancer and help regenerate tissues that have lost their blood supply.

Medcura Inc. has secured $7.4 million in series A equity financing to grow its line of hemostatic and wound treatment products. Part of the proceeds from the investment will go toward further developing the company’s lead surgical candidate, Lifegel, and advancing it to clinical trials.

Suzhou-based Intocare Medical Technology Co. Ltd. raised up to ¥100 million (US$15.66 million) in a series D funding round led by Qiming Venture Partners. Oriza Holdings, Oriza FOFs and Yuanbio Venture Capital also participated in the round. The company said the proceeds would be used for product R&D, clinical research, marketing promotion, and the launch of new offices and production sites.

PARIS – Urgo Group SAS has just been awarded $27.7 million in financial support from the French government, to help develop artificial skin for treating deep skin wounds and massive burns.