Skin Deep: Winning New Zealand Tissue Substitute Gives U.S. Hospitals a New Option for Flesh Wounds, Severe Burns and Reconstructive Surgeries

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- New hope and new help has arrived for people suffering from tissue damage, burns and reconstructive surgeries. It comes from New Zealand-based Mesynthes, a company that just won New Zealand's Focus on Health Challenge.

Mesynthes' Endoform Dermal Template is an FDA approved ready-to-use tissue substitute that can be used for wound care and dermal reconstruction. The product is designed to improve the rate and quality of healing. Mesynthes' is also developing Endoform Infection Control to prevent infection where there is a high risk of post-operative infection.

Every year, 500,000 Americans undergoing inpatient surgery suffer from a surgical site infection. Reports show that these patients are likely to stay in the hospital for twice the amount of time and incur up to US$50,000 higher costs for additional major surgical procedures.

"Endoform Infection Control will combine the benefits of a strong regenerative biomaterial and a broad spectrum antimicrobial," said Dr. Brian Ward, CEO and Director of Wellington-based Mesynthes. "We are delighted to have won the New Zealand Focus on Health challenge as we were up against some pretty impressive technologies and discoveries in New Zealand. It is particularly satisfying that the high-powered panel of predominantly U.S.-based judges recognized the tremendous potential of Endoform for use in the U.S. healthcare market."

The Focus on Health Challenge was developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, the New Zealand government's national economic development agency. It was created to introduce ground-breaking healthcare solutions from New Zealand into the U.S. market.

Runners up in the Focus on Health awards were Emendo's CapPlan, a capacity planning software that forecasts demand and manages resources and workflow in hospitals and clinics, and Matakina's Volpara, a breast screening software that helps clinicians analyze mammograms with greater accuracy. A special innovation award was given to B2P Limited's bacterial testing technology, an easy-to-use, low-cost, portable device for testing food and water for E Coli and other dangerous bacteria.  

The winners of the competition were selected by an internationally acclaimed panel of experts including Dr. John Halamka, Chief Information Officer and Dean for Technology at Harvard Medical School, and Jay Srini of the Lifewire and SCS Ventures, who was named one of the most influential people in technology by CIO Magazine.

"These companies are testament that New Zealand is a perfect incubator for innovative healthcare technologies that have the potential to provide significant health benefits for millions of people around the world," said Srini. "There are tremendous opportunities for collaborations, partnerships and real advances in the global healthcare industry from these award-winning companies."

New Zealand has a growing global reputation in healthcare solutions, producing some of the most innovative and successful health products and services in the world. With the passage of major healthcare reform legislation in the U.S. market, more than 30 million additional Americans will be introduced to the healthcare marketplace.

"Mesynthes and the other New Zealand healthcare finalists from the Focus on Health Challenge offer a crucial part of the solution required to effectively manage this influx, providing significant cost savings while ensuring patient care is still at the forefront," said Claire Eeles, Director, West Americas, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

For more information about the winners and the Focus on Health Challenge, visit www.nzfocusonhealth.com.

About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise:

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is the New Zealand Government's national economic development agency. Through our network of offices worldwide, we aim to improve the international competitiveness and sustained profitability of New Zealand business by providing access to people, knowledge and opportunities. www.nzte.govt.nz or www.newzealand.com

SOURCE New Zealand Trade and Enterprise