FORCE REPAIR · smart and multiFunctional 3D printable prO-Regenerative biologiCal matrix modulating mEchanotRansduction as advancEd theraPy to treAt skIn chRonic wounds

Due to population lifestyle changes, i.e. obesity, diabetes and aging population, chronic wounds (CW) which fail to follow the typical healing process is a major medical socioeconomic challenge. Current wound management is clearly insufficient and advanced therapies failed in keeping their promise of reliable skin regeneration. The aim of FORCE REPAIR is to develop a smart and multifunctional wound dressing providing pro-regenerative environment and mechanical stability to treat CW. Thus, FORCE REPAIR will combine state-of-the-art technologies in a biological scaffold tailored to patient’s needs: (1) Antibacterial and bioadhesive bioink with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory loaded nanocapsules, (2) Elastin like polypeptides promoting innervation and vascularization (3) Wharton Gel Complex preventing oxidative stress and boosting key extracellular matrix proteins. Also, the dressing activated by UV light will induce contractile force to help wound closure and activate skin regeneration. A customized 3D bioprinter with a user-friendly 3D trajectory software will help to strategically placed the biological compounds to timely address and mitigate the degenerative process occurring in CW, i.e. infection, inflammation, tension forces to promote skin regeneration. The 3D printed dressing will be tested in relevant in vitro model with a human exudate library and testing relevant key healing steps (i.e. re-epithelization, angiogenesis, cell proliferation…). Selected candidates will be tested in vivo on pig CW models and mice with bacterial infection. To ensure translation to clinical practice and reach patients, regulatory framework, HTA and a business model will be defined for a viable exploitation strategy that will decrease economic burden of wound care management and improve patients’ QoL. Finally, to ensure market acceptance health professional will guide the development of FORCE REPAIR to offer a dressing that treat efficiently CW and can be used by medical staff.