A Surge-Capable, Non-Biologic (Animal- and Human-Derived Tissue–Free) Amino Acid–Based Wound-Healing Matrix for Rapid Trauma Care and Streamlined Military Logistics

In a high-intensity fight against a near-peer adversary in the Indo-Pacific (China), the Department of the Air Force (DAF) medical system faces a projected 55% casualty rate, meaning 1,000s of critically injured airmen and dependents.  In even low-intensity combat, more than 1 in 3 service members wounded in action experienced an infection during OIF and OEF; with over half of these being skin, soft tissue, or bone infections. Significant morbidity is associated with these infections. To prevail in the next war, DAF medical units absolutely need point-of-injury wound care to prevent infection and morbidity in austere environments. In prolonged field care conditions, obtaining immediate skin grafting/surgery with antibacterial dressing for wounds may prove challenging or unavailable for extended durations (on average 4 days). In end-user discovery with the 60th MDG and Center for Sustainment of Trauma and Readiness Skills (C-STARS), Matregenix confirmed that current biological materials for treating traumatic wounds and burns face challenges in cost, handling, and shelf life. To address these issues, Matregenix developed MatriNova, which reduces costs by at least 50% compared to the current standard, provides 20 times greater tensile strength, and extends shelf life by 300%. In Phase II, Matregenix will design a version of MatriNova that is most ideal for treating soft tissue wounds in the Air Force in austere and hospital military environments and will perform a Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) large animal study to advance MatriNova to FDA 510k submission. Matregenix will specifically address the technology gaps defined by the DAF and user and customer to reduce morbidity—for airmen and families—from battlefield injuries in high-intensity conflict.