Thunder Bay’s not-for-profit tissue bank RegenMed is host to a new skin lab that will create a product that will help heal chronic wounds and potentially limit the need for amputations in diabetic patients with foot ulcers. The specialized process removes the cells from human skin that can be used for healing wounds. The new lab product will allow the patient’s own skin cells to create natural skin growth.
The Thunder Bay company feels this new product could help the roughly 2,300 Ontarians that require amputation of their leg below the knee due to a diabetic foot ulcer. Executive Director David Stezenko explains, “We are dreaming with DermGEN there will be a dramatic reduction in the number of amputations due to complications associated with diabetic foot ulcers, with pressure wounds and venous wounds.”
Stezenko goes onto say it’s all due to two researchers from the east coast, “Dr. Paul Gratzer and Sean Margueratt, are the first in the world to automate the process to decellularize skin. Their IP protected process has proven to increase the clinical effectiveness in wound healing through skin regeneration, while lowering manufacturing costs at the same time.” He adds this opens up a brand new avenue for their company.
