First ever fish-skin graft developed for plastic and reconstructive surgery
Kerecis, a company that specialises in developing fish skin and fatty acid solutions in cellular therapy, tissue regeneration and protection, has created the first ever implantable medical fish-skin graft for surgery which can be used to reinforce soft tissue.
The Kerecis Omega3 SurgiBind is indicated for implantation to reinforce soft tissue where weakness exists, especially for patients requiring soft tissue repair or reinforcement in plastic or reconstructive surgery.
Kerecis’s Omega3 intact fish skin, when grafted onto damaged human tissue, recruits the body’s own cells and is converted into living tissue. The company says because no disease-transfer risk exists between cold-water fish and humans, the fish skin is only gently processed, retaining its similarity to human tissue.
This gentle processing preserves the skin’s original three-dimensional structure, with its inherent natural strength, complexity, and molecules maintained. The aim of the product is to help practitioners better manage the risk of complications and improve outcomes, with the fish-skin technology providing rapid incorporation and cell ingrowth, accelerated neovascularisation and faster wound closure, which all speed up full tissue remodelling.
The company has received authorisation from the FDA to market the product in the US. Kerecis founder and chief executive Fertram Sigurjonsson said: “This new product re-enforces our entry into the surgical market and demonstrates that the benefits of our technology extend beyond treating severe wounds and preventing amputations.”
