Collagen Solutions in burns treatment research tie-up

Life sciences firm Collagen Solutions is to collaborate on a research project into the treatment of burns.

Collagen Solutions chief executive Stewart White. Picture: Contributed

The Glasgow-based company has teamed up on the study with Blond McIndoe Research Foundation (BMRF), a not-for-profit centre for regenerative medicine based at the Queen Victoria Hospital in West Sussex.

The hospital, in East Grinstead, is known for its pioneering treatment of burns sustained by allied aircrew during the Second World War.

Aim-quoted Collagen said the pilot study will investigate the use of primary human skin cells in formulation with its products with a view to developing more effective treatments for burns, reducing the “burden and limitation” of skin grafts.

Chief executive Stewart White said: “With over 13,000 UK hospital admissions each year and 486,000 in the USA requiring medical attention, the care and treatment of burns presents a significant clinical need.

“The experience the foundation has in the treatment of burns and wound care using the patient’s own cells is truly world leading. Initially the project will confirm that our functional collagen formulations will provide a successful scaffold for these living cells. Based on successful outputs, we will then go on to jointly create a delivery process which can increase the ease of handling of these products by clinicians, alongside greater efficacy of the treatments themselves.”

BMRF chief executive Maxine Smeaton added: “Collaborations of this nature are crucial to achieving high quality, impactful research that results in improved outcomes for people who have experienced serious, life-changing burn wounds.”

Mike Mitchell, analyst at house broker Panmure Gordon, said: “Today’s news further demonstrates, in our view, the breadth of opportunity for Collagen Solutions’ technologies.”