In Brazil, no advanced therapy product has yet been approved for the treatment of chronic wounds and burns. A startup based in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, aims to change this by pioneering a new solution in the field.
The company has developed a 3D-printed biodressing made from human umbilical cord stem cells to treat chronic wounds and severe burns. The product, called **Mensencure**, combines hydrogel with mesenchymal stem cells, which are known for releasing bioactive molecules such as cytokines and growth factors. These molecules play a key role in wound healing by promoting immune modulation, new blood vessel formation, and improving scar tissue quality.
Mensencure stands out for its “smart” design, as it contains living cells that can respond to the body’s signals during the healing process. Unlike conventional treatments, which address only one stage of healing, the biodressing works across multiple phases, actively supporting tissue regeneration.
Carolina Caliári Oliveira, the founder of the company, explained that these stem cells help promote healing without being rejected by the body. For patients whose wounds have not healed despite using other treatments, a single application of this biodressing can offer a lasting solution.
The company stores the stem cells in a dedicated bank and uses advanced 3D bioprinting technology to precisely create the dressing. The specialized equipment ensures that the mesenchymal cells are distributed correctly in the hydrogel, keeping them viable during both production and application.
Mensencure is especially promising for patients with diabetes, particularly those with type 1 diabetes, who often experience delayed wound healing. The high blood sugar levels typical in these patients hinder the natural healing process, leading to slow or non-healing wounds. Oliveira explained that the biodressing targets these patients, helping wounds that may otherwise take months or even years to heal.
Initially, the company plans to focus on treating pressure injuries, or bedsores, with clinical trials underway. Should the trials prove successful, they aim to gain approval from Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), which regulates health treatments and technologies in the country.
“We are currently working on producing the cells and the biodressing according to Good Manufacturing Practices \[GMP] to seek authorization from ANVISA for clinical studies,” said Oliveira.
The startup is also focused on developing other products using the same technology in their laboratory. Unlike many biotechs, they aim not only to develop new treatments but also to bring them to market.
This new product marks a significant step forward in the field of wound care, with the potential to improve the lives of patients suffering from chronic wounds, burns, and conditions like diabetes.
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