PLCOSKIN is a bio-startup that builds TissueDerm, a medical technology that helps with reconstructing human tissues. This company has already obtained a “medical device class IV” approval from the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA).
TissueDerm is an artificial dermis (artificial skin) that is utilized to provide structural support to the skin after surgeries such as breast cancer removal or mastectomy. When placed under the skin, this artificial skin provides better support for the implants and becomes a scaffold for tissue regeneration.
What sets TissueDerm apart is the material it is made from. PLCOSKIN uses PCL-Collagen, which is approved as safe to be inside the body and is also bio-degradable (“absorbable”). As such, it should be free of toxicity and inflammation while providing high tensile strength and a good environment for tissue regeneration.
Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polyester with a wide range of applications. It is a synthetic polymer that belongs to the family of aliphatic polyesters. PCL is known for its flexibility, low melting point, and biocompatibility, making it suitable for various purposes. In the medical industry, PCL is commonly used for bioresorbable sutures and drug delivery systems.
On top of these impressive properties, TissueDerm can also be custom-printed to the exact patient dimensions to ensure a perfect fit for non-flat surfaces that would be very difficult to manage with a planar sheet of artificial skin. This led to TissueDerm variants such as TissueDerm Breast or TissueDerm Orbit (eye).
According to its creators, TissueDerm has three highly desired properties that other artificial skins don’t combine: high mechanical strength, good tissue regeneration, and biodegradability.
There’s even a TissueDerm BCS product, which is designed to fill in the space left by removing a tumor to avoid having a cavity in the body that will be filled with liquid or that will somewhat visibly collapse and lead to long-term changes in the skin’s shape.
As the product biodegrades (= is absorbed by the body), it is replaced with the natural body tissue, leading to a more natural healing and appearance.
Unsurprisingly, this product was created in Korea as it is one of the leading countries for surgeries, particularly plastic surgeries. This is an innovative creation that not only improves the aesthetic of the treated area but also the quality of the skin regeneration.
As it stands, PLCOSKIN is in discussion with Japanese authorities to get approval and is also in the pre-approval phase with the USA FDA, which bodes well for future business prospects. With the number of breast surgeries increasing worldwide, unfortunately, partially due to a rise in breast cancers, it’s encouraging to see better reconstruction solutions.
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