Bio-synthetic hybrid material for use in internal wounding healing

The global market for surgical meshes is over $1 billion and increasing due to increasing obesity and aging populations. Despite being a well-established market there remain unmet needs and attractive opportunities for advanced mesh materials which promote rapid endogenous healing and reduce risk of rejection and infection. In this proposal two SMEs, The Electrospinning Company Ltd. and Collagen Solutions plc., will combine their expertise in synthetic and biological materials to develop a ‘bio-synthetic’ hybrid material that combines the advantages of synthetic polymers, such as flexibility, strength and consistency, with the bio-performance advantages of collagen, such as providing cell recognition sites for cell adhesion, proliferation and ultimately improved tissue regeneration at wound sites. Electrospinning technology will be used to create a non-woven mesh with dual properties.