Launch of the DERMA project

On the 3^rd of October 2016, DERMA officially began! This collaborative Interreg 2 Seas project seeks to develop new technologies and design innovative dressings for the treatment of non-healing dermal wounds.

The ageing process and some chronic diseases, e.g, diabetes and cardiovascular disease can result in long term dermal skin conditions, potentially causing ulcers, inflammation, infection   and pain. This phenomenon is increasing as the European population ages and the incidence of the “western” diseases increase. Ostomates face a problem with these above-mentioned skin issues of the peristomal skin. Dermal ulcers and other long term chronic wounds often lead to complications and can release offensive odours causing distress to patients. Therefore there is an urgent need to develop adapted solutions, in the form of novel wound dressings, to meet the market demands of modern wound care.

DERMA will carry out, within 3.5 years, research of regenerative biomaterials in order to design, develop and evaluate two prototype dressings to address key challenges in dermal wound management. This initiative is financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the INTERREG 2 Seas Mers Zeeën territorial cooperation programme to an extent of € 2.7M budget.

The consortium is composed of four expert partners:

• The University of Brighton (Lead Partner) –School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Leaf Hospital, Eastbourne.
• The University of Portsmouth – The Department of Enterprise and Innovation (E&I) in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries (Department of Enterprise & Innovation, Schools of Creative Technologies, Art and Design, Media & Performing Arts) and the Faculty of Science (School of Health Science and Social Work, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth Ageing Network).
• The University of Gent – Department of Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials Group & Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS)
• Eurasanté – Innovation Department

DERMA is assisted by Observer Partners: Blond McIndoe Research Foundation (UK), Welland Medical Ltd. (UK), WSX Enterprise (UK), the Research Federation of Biomaterials and Functionalised Medical Devices (France) and Flanders Bio (Belgium).

The project builds on some of the work of a previous Interreg 2 Seas project called Biocare marine.