8 July 2010
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 expected amount of time and incur up to $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. This is a strong endorsement of Mesynthes and our technology and it is particularly satisfying to receive this honour after a rigorous assessment from a high powered panel of predominantly US-based judges. The process of preparing for this competition and spending time in the market has positioned us very well to enter the US market in this year."
“We were up against some impressive technologies and discoveries in New Zealand, and we are excited that the judges recognised the tremendous potential of Endoform for use in the US healthcare market.”
The Focus on Health Challenge was developed by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the New Zealand government's national economic development agency. It was created to introduce ground-breaking healthcare solutions from New Zealand into the US 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 analyse 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 US 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, NZTE.
About New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
NZTE 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.
Media contacts
Charlotte Simcock, NZTE,
phone +1 646 378 4801, email charlotte.simcock@nzte.govt.nz
Jordan Robinson Agnor, Development Counsellors International,
phone +1 212 444 7140, email jordan.robinson@dc-intl.com
