Innovation in Advanced Wound Care
Advanced Wound Care requires products and therapies which effectively manage the biological mechanisms that progress healing. Progression to healing requires navigation through highly complex biological processes that are further disrupted by the pathophysiological challenges of chronic wounds (venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers or diabetic foot ulcers) or by the presence of microbial biofilm that acts as a barrier to healing or by wound infection.
Since the discovery of moist wound healing in 1962, Wound Care companies and innovators have attempted to meet these challenges through the development of novel technologies, including:
Absorbent dressings that manage corrosive wound exudate and interact with the wound surface
Adhesives that reduce pain and trauma at dressing changes
Antimicrobials that effectively kill microbes within biofilms, in addition to planktonic microorganisms
Biological dressings & skin substitutes
Negative pressure wound therapy
Our recent discussions with Wound Care companies and innovators have focused on the challenges relating to:
The balance between complex solutions that meet the demands of the chronic wound environment and ease of application & use for patients, carers & clinicians
Onerous regulatory requirements & registration timelines
Heightened clinical data needs to prove clinical & cost effectiveness
Ongoing and anticipated reductions in product reimbursement
Narrow categories of products in reimbursement systems
Product & Brand differentiation in a crowded market
The wound care market remains strong and growing at a reported 4-6%, therefore new technology & product innovation should be attractive to small, medium & large companies – however, there appears to be a current tendency to focus on life-cycle management & development of derivative products which have lower development risks, but which may not significantly advance clinical practice and patient care.
We see the Wound Care market as ripe for disruption by innovative technologies, with user-friendly designs, that are focused on addressing the pathophysiological challenges seen in wounds. These technologies must be developed in-line with ongoing preparatory discussions with regulators and reimbursement authorities, with a clear clinical development plan that provides randomised controlled trial evidence coupled with real-world clinical evidence, and including cost-effectiveness analysis.
Technologies that should enhance the clinical treatment of patients with wounds in the near future will include:
Diagnostics & Wound Scanning Systems that indicate the best protocol of care to manage & heal wounds.
Safe, Effective Antimicrobials with Anti-Biofilm activity to manage wounds that are infected or at risk of infection.
Easy-to-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems that address a broad range of wound indications, sizes and shapes – with highly effective sealing around the wound site.
Novel Skin & Tissue Replacement Technologies that enable the ordered formation of granulation tissue and lead to rapid, full re-epithelialisation.
Devices to prevent the physiological damage that lead to wound formation or recurrence – e.g. Pressure Offloading Devices, Devices that stimulate Venous flow in the lower leg.
Development of these innovative technologies will help clinicians to heal wounds faster, more predictably and effectively, whilst disrupting the current Advanced Wound Care market landscape.