UGRSKIN is a human skin obtained through tissue engineering that was developed in 2012 by a group of scientists from the University of Granada (UGR) and has become the first artificial tissue approved as a medicine in Spain. The authorization was presented this June 18 at the Virgen del RocÃo hospital in Seville, with the presence of the rector of the University of Granada, Pedro Mercado Pacheco; the Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Government of Andalusia, Catalina GarcÃa; and Antonio Campos and Miguel Alaminos, heads of the research team that created UGRSKIN.
According to the counselor, this new medicine, of which 12 square meters have already been produced at the Virgen de las Nieves hospital in Granada, facilitates the rapid and effective healing of wounds, significantly reduces the risk of infections, and provides a protective barrier that reduces pain. and improves patient comfort.
In addition, it improves aesthetic and functional results, minimizing the formation of scars and contractures, which shortens recovery time and improves the quality of life of patients. This treatment is suitable for patients without active skin infections and with burns covering between 60 and 90% of the body surface in adults, and more than 30% in pediatric patients.
An artificial tissue based on human skin cells
Now, 12 years after its creation, the Spanish Medicines Agency has approved the use of UGRSKIN as a consolidated medicine in hospitals with accredited burn units. Until now, it was used as an experimental compassionate use drug, that is, only when there were no other treatment options available and with authorization on a case-by-case basis. Starting today, accredited hospitals will be able to use this fabric on a regular basis.
The rector of the University of Granada highlighted the efforts of the researchers and the institution during these years, as well as the good results obtained. UGRSKIN has not only proven to be useful for the treatment of large burns, but it does not generate relevant side effects or complications. Professor Miguel Alaminos mentioned three months ago, during the presentation of the results of this skin in a patient that, once implanted, the UGRSKIN model was quickly integrated into the patient’s tissue, showing an epidermis very similar to the normal human epidermis since the principle, which contributes to protection against external pathogens. Likewise, the dermis of the implanted tissue was able to progressively remodel itself until it was histologically analogous to the normal dermis from the second month of implantation.
UGRSKIN has proven to be useful for the treatment of large burns without generating side effects or relevant complications.
The Tissue Engineering Group of the Department of Histology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Granada and the Biosanitary Research Institute ibs.GRANADA, directed by Antonio Campos, is a pioneer in the design and manufacture of human artificial tissues and UGRSKIN is the result of her work, with the first articles about her published in 2012.
This artificial skin model, based on human skin cells and natural biomaterials designed by the research group itself, demonstrated its effectiveness in experimental animals and complied with all the necessary quality controls according to the requirements of the different drug agencies. Subsequently, in collaboration with the Andalusian Network for the Design and Translation of Advanced Therapies (RAdytTA) of the Government of Andalusia, the UGR group manufactured this artificial skin in pharmaceutical quality for use as an advanced therapy medicine, complying with all standards. European quality.
In 2016, UGRSKIN was used for the first time to treat a patient with severe burns on 70% of her body in the Burn Unit of the Virgen del RocÃo Hospital in Seville, with good results. Since then, 15 patients have been treated (8 adults and 4 children), with a survival rate close to 80%. Now, UGRSKIN has authorization that will allow its regular use in accredited burn units in all hospital centers in Spain.
Source: University of Granada (UGR)
