Stratatech to begin clinical trials of skin substitute

Fresh off a $3 million fundraise, Stratatech Corp. plans to begin Phase 2b clinical trials of its genetically engineered human-skin substitute.

The Madison, Wis.-based company said it plans to begin the trials of its StrataGraft skin substitute, which is designed for patients suffering from burns or other sever wounds, in the second half of this year. The company shared its plans when it announced the fundraise this week, which was first reported in early April by MedCity News.

The Phase 2b trial’s goal is to assess the efficacy of StrataGraft tissue in the healing of severe burns and wounds that otherwise would require multiple skin grafting. The company markets StrataGraft as a temporary wound cover that promotes healing by a patient’s own cells. The skin substitute also prepares a patient’s wound to receive graft of the patient’s own skin, according to Stratatech.

Serious burns or chronic wounds are often treated with skin from cadavers, but that method of treatment can lead to infection or rejection of the cadaver tissue. Stratatech’s technology is safer and more effective than cadaver skin, according to the company.

The funding comes in the form of convertible debt and was raised from existing angel investors.

The company was founded in 2000 by Lynn Allen-Hoffman, a University of Wisconsin pathology professor. Allen-Hoffman didn’t immediately return a call.

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