TissueGen Inc., recently received global recognition for its patented biodegradable polymer-based fiber that has the potential to provide new patient-care opportunities. 

The Dallas biotech startup’s ELUTE fiber won the “Medical Device Engineering Breakthrough” award from MedTech Breakthrough, an organization that honors prestigious medical technology companies and products.

Dr. Kevin Nelson developed the patented technologies ELUTE fiber is based on while he was a bioengineering faculty member at the University of Texas at Arlington. [Photo: UTA]

More than 2,000 inventions from more than 10 countries competed for the 2017 awards. Awards ranged from patient engagement to mobile communications and telehealth. 

“The competition among medical device and solution engineering award nominations was fierce, and TissueGen displayed a compelling and high-impact solution for a broad range of topical and implantable medical devices products,” said MedTech Breakthrough Managing Director James Johnson in a release. 

“This award is further recognition that these technologies represent the future of medicine.” 
Dr. Kevin Nelson

Dr. Kevin Nelson, TissueGen founder and former University of Texas at Arlington bioengineering professor, created ELUTE fiber while working at the university. 

The fiber provides pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and medical device companies with implantable drug delivery. Devices utilizing it could create new applications for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine procedures including spinal cord injury repair, nerve regeneration, and orthopedic soft tissue repair.

“Progress on implantable and topical fiber-based delivery of biologics and pharmaceuticals is paving the way for the next generation of orthopedic medical products, tissue engineering breakthroughs, and advances in regenerative medicine,” Nelson said in a release. “This award is further recognition that these technologies represent the future of medicine.”

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