DERMA project, main objective

Main Objective

The objective of DERMA is to develop new interventions for the management and treatment of dermal ulcers and related skin conditions, including stomas.

DERMA project, an innovative approach in sciences

An innovative approach

The project will use the expertise of clinicians and designers from the outset, to transfer and advance our existing novel laboratory technologies to more refined, …

DERMA project, Territorial Challenge

Territorial Challenge

Derma will address the common challenge of improving the quality of life of the increasing elderly population of the 2 Seas area. It will tackle the problem of advanced…

The objective of DERMA is to develop new interventions for the management and treatment of dermal ulcers and related skin conditions, including stomas. By addressing market and patient need, the project will deliver advanced new technologies (incorporating marine sourced biopolymers) ready for exploitation by industry to manufacture improved products for the treatment of patients. Thus, it will lead to cost savings for the EU by improving efficiency and success of wound management by carers.

The project will use the expertise of clinicians and designers from the outset, to transfer and advance our existing novel laboratory technologies to more refined, close to market products in response to market demands from the partner’s network of industrial contacts, ant to meet patients’ needs. Product prototypes formed with marine sourced biopolymers will develop antimicrobials properties and will give an early and visual indication of the state of healing of a wound and tell patients or carers whether the dressing needs to be replaced. They will be supported with instructional computer animations fostering their adoption by end-users.

Derma will address the common challenge of improving the quality of life of the increasing elderly population of the 2 Seas area. It will tackle the problem of advanced age associated inflammation. By 2025 more than 20% of Europeans will be 65 or older, a vulnerable group in relation to illness. This cross-border phenomenon will challenge healthcare providers and public purse (25% of total EU healthcare budget). Ulceration of the extremities of this group is a major societal challenge so much that presence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fungating tumours and long-term immobilisation exposes all age groups to dermal ulceration. Furthermore, 700,000 ostomates in the EU face with the problem of inflammation, infection and pain of the peristomal (surrounding) skin.

Budget

€ 2 724 815

 financially supported by the European Union and the Economic Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the INTERREG 2 Seas Mers Zeeën Program.

Dates

The project officially began on

1st September 2016

The project is due to end on

30th November 2020

Duration

51

months

The DERMA project is driven by a consortium of 4 partners scattered in the 2 Seas Interreg area and composed both with academics and a development agency:

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University of Ghent

The consortium is also enriched by the presence of 5 observer partners: