UPM’s FibDex®, a wood-based innovation for wound care, receives regulatory approval and CE mark

UPM launches a new advanced wound care product for the European market. FibDex^® is the first wound dressing created from wood-based nanofibrillar cellulose to receive regulatory approval and be awarded a CE mark. Nanofibrillar cellulose, which has been shown to be biocompatible with human cells and tissue, forms the core of the dressing. UPM’s proprietary nanotechnology, combined with over a decade of research into nanofibrillar cellulose and a highly professional R&D, has resulted in the development of this unique product.

In clinical trials FibDex was shown to provide a favourable environment for healing to occur. Moreover, FibDex is a one-time only application dressing that peels away from the treatment site once healing has occurred. This makes the process less painfull for patients and more efficient from the perspective of the hospital. In patient review scores FibDex was reported to be both comfortable throughout treatment and provide improved scar quality.

FibDex has been developed in collaboration with researchers from the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy, as well as with surgeons from the Helsinki Burn Centre, Department of Plastic Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital. Prior to receiving the CE mark, FibDex has undergone vigorous preclinical safety and efficacy tests followed by clinical trials that have centered on the treatment of skin graft donor sites.

FibDex is manufactured from renewable and responsibly sourced Finnish birch wood. “We are thrilled to have been awarded the CE mark and to be able to bring FibDex to the market. We see it as the next natural step on our journey in the Biomedicals business,” says Dr Jane Spencer-Fry, Director, UPM Biomedicals.

“After commercializing GrowDex^® hydrogel for cell culture in the life science field, we’ve seen that wood-based materials can offer our customers, researchers and patients many benefits that have been warmly welcomed. UPM continues to advance the research and development of products for the biomedical market and moreover, to maximize the use of renewable and sustainable wood-based raw materials,” concludes Jane Spencer-Fry.

Contact

Jane Spencer-Fry, Director
UPM Biomedicals
tel. +44 7881 557511

Kari Luukko, Director,
Quality management and regulatory affairs
UPM Biomedicals
tel. +358 400 259 866

About UPM

We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. We employ around 19,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion.

Source

UPM, press release, 2019-05-27.

Supplier

University of Helsinki
UPM Corporation

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