Developing a greater understanding of the treatment of wounds and skin defects

The University of Huddersfield has developed a partnership with Avita Medical Ltd, a regenerative medicine company specializing in the treatment of wounds and skin defects.

By working together they will explore the mechanism of Regenerative Epithelial Suspension (RES™) – from Avita’s ReCell® device – to better understand its ability to effectively treat burns, hard-to-heal wounds and skin trauma.

Enabling clinicians to make informed choices

The key aim of this research is to provide greater understanding of the cellular interactions present in RES™ and the roles these play in regenerating natural, healthy skin. It is anticipated that the results of this research will help enable clinicians to make more informed patient selection leading to superior clinical outcomes.

Senior Lecturer in Biological Sciences Dr Nikolaos Georgopoulos, Reader in Advancing Clinical Practice Dr Karen Ousey and Professor of Pharmaceutics Barbara Conway – from the University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention – will assess the ReCell® device using donated human skin. The investigators will examine the behaviour of the skin cells in RES™ using sophisticated analysis techniques to reveal ongoing cellular interactions.  The resulting new information regarding the mechanism within RES™ will be used to advance clinical practice, education and product development.

“Our patients are at the centre of everything…”

“Our goal with this study is to further unlock understanding of the mechanism within the active suspension, so that we will be able to further discern the intricacies behind why ReCell® is so effective for wound treatment,” said Adam Kelliher, Chief Executive Officer of Avita Medical. “Our patients are at the centre of everything Avita Medical does and they will benefit from the deeper knowledge we will achieve through this collaboration with the University of Huddersfield.”

Dr Nikolaos Georgopoulos of the University of Huddersfield added: “Researchers at our University are deeply committed to working with innovative, world-class companies on the development of products that promise to make a real difference in people’s lives and contribute to their well-being. Avita Medical and RESTM are a perfect example of this.”

Dr Georgopoulos continued, “The collaboration is also an ideal opportunity for the Institute of Skin Integrity and Infection Prevention.  We are an inter-disciplinary group whose members can pool an enormous range of expertise. This will serve us well as we investigate the full potential of Regenerative Epithelial Suspension. It is an exciting project that promises to produce real benefits.”

Following this initial collaborative evaluation, Avita Medical and the University of Huddersfield intend to finalise a longer-term strategy to explore the RES™ mechanism.