The promise of cell-based therapies has yet to be realized. It’s not because the science doesn’t hold together, but rather in how it’s applied. Injecting cells into a wound bed not only mechanically shears them on the way in, but also places them in an unfriendly, high-pressure environment. Direct application to the wound and covering it with a bandage doesn’t provide a cell friendly environment, either. Applying biologic materials doped with cells has been tried with some success, however, but like other applications, the cells don’t live long enough to deliver the goods.
Recognizing the need to continue his research in cell-based therapies, Dr. Gurtner developed a patented, pullulan/soft collagen matrix. The new matrix is designed to be the basis of a cost-effective dressing that can be used as a dressing alone or part of a cell therapy delivery system. When cells are applied directly to the matrix, its unique properties suck the cells up like a sponge. Laboratory testing confirms once in the cell-friendly matrix, they survive and proliferate.
TauTona has taken up the product development, moved the process out of the lab and into manufacturing, and confirmed the dressing’s continued performance.
