Michael Barbella, Managing Editor10.26.22
Evonik has signed a distribution agreement with consulting and sales company Coopmed for the wound dressing epicite. Coopmed is now distributing epicite—made from biosynthetic cellulose—exclusively to the German market for chronic wound management.
epicite is part of the portfolio of JeNaCell, a company based in Jena, Germany, which Evonik acquired in 2021 following prior investment.
“We are excited to work with a highly experienced partner like Coopmed for the market development and distribution of epicite to advance the treatment of chronic wounds,” said Dana Kralisch, general manager of JeNaCell. “Together, we will work to make epicite® available to outpatients throughout Germany. We would like to thank all wound experts and professional users who supported us with case studies, practical advice and their personal experiences using the product.”
JeNaCell produces biosynthetic cellulose, a nature-identical material that is particularly suitable for wound cleansing and supporting the healing process of acute and chronic wounds due to its moist microclimate.1 Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal even after several weeks. Typical reasons for their development are circulatory disorders, diabetes mellitus or a suppression of the immune system. In Germany, about 2.7 million people suffer from chronic wounds.2
“With epicite we can offer many outpatients a perfect alternative to hydrogels, which will no longer be covered by many health insurances in Germany from 2024,” said Hubertus Ruthmann, senior partner and co-founder of Coopmed. “Based on many years of clinical experience with epicite in burns, we are convinced that we can offer patients with chronic wounds an excellent product.”
JeNaCell originally emerged as a spin-off from Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. In 2017, the company launched epicite wound dressing as its first product. Other technologies developed by JeNaCell include soft tissue implants, transdermal release systems and dermatological applications.
Evonik recognized JeNaCell's potential in 2015 and invested in the start-up through its own venture capital arm. Following the complete takeover, JeNaCell's portfolio was integrated into the Health Care business line of Evonik, expanding its portfolio of biomaterials, related services, and device manufacturing.
References
1 Zahel P et al., Bacterial Cellulose—Adaptation of a Nature-Identical Material to the Needs of Advanced Chronic Wound Care, Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15, 683
2 Riedl S, Storck M: Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischen Wunden und Wundheilungsstörungen – eine Aufgabe für die Chirurgie. Passion Chirurgie. 2021 Januar/Februar; 11(01/02): Artikel 03_02.
epicite is part of the portfolio of JeNaCell, a company based in Jena, Germany, which Evonik acquired in 2021 following prior investment.
“We are excited to work with a highly experienced partner like Coopmed for the market development and distribution of epicite to advance the treatment of chronic wounds,” said Dana Kralisch, general manager of JeNaCell. “Together, we will work to make epicite® available to outpatients throughout Germany. We would like to thank all wound experts and professional users who supported us with case studies, practical advice and their personal experiences using the product.”
JeNaCell produces biosynthetic cellulose, a nature-identical material that is particularly suitable for wound cleansing and supporting the healing process of acute and chronic wounds due to its moist microclimate.1 Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal even after several weeks. Typical reasons for their development are circulatory disorders, diabetes mellitus or a suppression of the immune system. In Germany, about 2.7 million people suffer from chronic wounds.2
“With epicite we can offer many outpatients a perfect alternative to hydrogels, which will no longer be covered by many health insurances in Germany from 2024,” said Hubertus Ruthmann, senior partner and co-founder of Coopmed. “Based on many years of clinical experience with epicite in burns, we are convinced that we can offer patients with chronic wounds an excellent product.”
JeNaCell originally emerged as a spin-off from Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. In 2017, the company launched epicite wound dressing as its first product. Other technologies developed by JeNaCell include soft tissue implants, transdermal release systems and dermatological applications.
Evonik recognized JeNaCell's potential in 2015 and invested in the start-up through its own venture capital arm. Following the complete takeover, JeNaCell's portfolio was integrated into the Health Care business line of Evonik, expanding its portfolio of biomaterials, related services, and device manufacturing.
References
1 Zahel P et al., Bacterial Cellulose—Adaptation of a Nature-Identical Material to the Needs of Advanced Chronic Wound Care, Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15, 683
2 Riedl S, Storck M: Versorgung von Patienten mit chronischen Wunden und Wundheilungsstörungen – eine Aufgabe für die Chirurgie. Passion Chirurgie. 2021 Januar/Februar; 11(01/02): Artikel 03_02.