There is currently no really effective treatment of peripheral nerve damage caused by severe traumatic injury. Modern microsurgical procedures have poor outcomes and incidence of scarring, mismatch and misalignment of axonal fibers is high, with permanent impairment of function and sensation. As well as pain, discomfort and disability in affected patients.

A key factor in encouraging damaged nerve cells to align and regenerate correctly is the availability of neural growth factors from proximal nerve segments to distal segments of axons. When a nerve is severed, transport of growth factors is inhibited and in their absence. The distal part of the nerve fiber dies, leaving an empty nerve-fiber channel. A treatment that overcomes these issues and encourages nerve healing, is easier to use than present technologies, and restores “feeling and function” resulting in better life quality, would provide great health and economic benefits.

ForAxon is developing a biodegradable wrap-around nerve conduit/prosthesis, AxonScaff that can be combined with nerve growth factor producing cells for the treatment of the peripheral nerve damage, potentially also suitable for spinal cord injuries. The biocompatible, biodegradable, conduit consisting of Polyhydroxybuturate (PHB), bridges the gap between severed nerve ends, bringing them together, and creating a protective environment for nerve growth.

A recent market study prevails that:

√  In 20% of all surgery procedures a device is used for nerve repair

√  94% of Key Opinion Leaders believe there is a need for an easier and better method than microsurgery

√  89 % are interested in a product such as AxonScaff

√  94 % are interested in a product such as CellScaff