Thanks to a technologically and internationally diverse group of partners, this three-year Horizon Europe funded project aims to develop an innovative injectable treatment designed to accelerate healing in deep, hard-to-reach wounds which affect more than 300 million people worldwide and lead to a significant number of lower limb amputations. These types of wounds are a major source of pain and distress for patients, significantly reducing their quality of life and accounting for 2-4% of healthcare costs in Europe. Current treatments are limited in their ability to reach the depths of the wounds, control infection and inflammation, as well as facilitate tissue regeneration.
At the heart of the INJECTHEAL project is a 4D injectable self-healing hydrogel, designed not only to deliver medication precisely where it’s needed but also to actively support tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation and infection. When completed, the hydrogel which is developed from safe, sustainable materials, will be a radical leap in chronic wound treatment—especially for deep tunnel wounds, which are notoriously difficult to manage using existing therapies.
Clinicians and patients are at the core of INJECTHEAL’s mission, which is why they will be consulted throughout the project lifetime thanks to co-creation workshops and active feedback collection, thus creating a final output tailored to their specific needs. These activities will not only contribute to the long-term marketability of the hydrogel; they will also ensure that the final output is as patient-oriented as possible.
The consortium of INJECTHEAL consists of 13 partners from 8 countries (Italy, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK) involving leading scientists, clinicians, engineers, and patient advocates belonging to a varied and competent array of partners, ranging from leading research centres and universities to innovative SMEs and charities, all dedicated to making revolutionary strides in chronic wound-healing.
