Vicomtech collaborates in the European project FORCE REPAIR, which focuses on the innovative treatment of chronic wounds.

Wounds are the main causes of the loss of anatomical and physiological continuity of the skin, and if the condition is chronic, the healing period is usually not less than three months. This type of condition affects up to 2% of the European population, and cases are expected to increase significantly over the next few years. In Europe, total health expenditure for this type of condition is less than 4 per cent; as a result, the therapies used are insufficient, expensive and ineffective. So far, medical devices for the treatment of chronic wounds have not been able to reliably regenerate the skin and reduce scarring.

Aim of the project

FORCE REPAIR, the new European research project, aims to advance the healing and treatment of chronic wounds through the development of a 3D printed wound dressing. In this way, bacterial infection and inflammation could be controlled. The new developed therapy is based on biomaterials that relieve skin tension and stimulate healing by combining innovative biocompatible technologies with pro-regenerative active ingredients. The project involves 14 partners from 7 European Member States with funding of more than €5 million from the European Union's Horizon Europe grant programme for research and innovation.

The concept of the FORCE REPAIR project is based on a self-healing hydrogel based on 3D printable hyaluronic acid (HA-Ag-DH) with antibacterial and bioadhesive properties, which will keep the moisture of the wound for a long time. The printable biomaterial will allow each component to be placed strategically to fight infection and reduce inflammation to recreate the healthy tissue environment.

Vicomtech’s role 

At Force Repair, Vicomtech's work focuses on the development of a new high-level software to generate the paths of the bioprinter that will allow the manufacture of the 4D multi-material dressing for the treatment of chronic skin wounds proposed in the project. Vicomtech will also develop a new software that will allow to simulate the mechanical behavior of the dressing, considering the spatial distribution of the materials that constitute it, as well as its response to stimulation by ultraviolet light, which is what allows the dressing to deform in a controlled way (4D) and release tension in the wound.

Progress in managing wound care and reducing healthcare costs

Chronic wounds are conditions that can occur in patients of any age group, although people with diseases such as diabetes or obesity have a higher risk of developing them. The FORCE REPAIR project is therefore easily adaptable to each patient profile and individual needs. By providing a prolonged regenerative effect for at least 15 days, the new dressing will significantly decrease the nurse's daily attendance to change the dressing and result in a healed wound with a low probability of reopening.

In addition to promoting the treatment of chronic wounds, reducing healthcare costs and improving the overall quality of life of patients, FORCE REPAIR will also contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals by seeking to establish a more sustainable production of biotints and nanocapsules. In this way, the project partners will contribute to the leadership of the European Union in the production of materials that offer solutions for a clean and pollutant-free environment.

Partners

Austria:

• Akribes Biomedical GmbH 
• Joanneum Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

Czechia:

• Betthera S.R.O.

Denmark:

• European Wound Management Association (EWMA)

France:

• Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
• Universite de Bordeaux (third-party)
• Institut Polytehnique de Bordeaux (third-party)
• Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Medicale (INSERM)

Germany:

• European Research and Project Office GmbH (EURICE)

Italy:

• Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”
• Università degli Studi di Pavia

Spain:

• Asphalion S.L.
• Fundación CIDETEC 
• Fundación IDONIAL
• VICOMTECH
• Histocell S.L