Well I wonder: skin regeneration device put to the test

Avita Medical has engaged a health economics group to evaluate how its regenerative medical device, ReCell, can save money in burns treatment units

The regenerative medicine company, which specialises in new treatments for wounds and skin defects, said the commissioned study would be funded by Barda, the US federal authority which prepares the US for possible mass casualty events, and with which Avita has a $61.9m development and procurement contract.

IMS Health, one of the world’s leading health economic groups, has been selected for the project, which should take six to eight months, and has a broad remit to explore the potential cost savings from all major interventions for burns treatment, including wound bed preparation, grafting and scar management.

In its proposal to Avita, IMS reported that burns place an economic burden on the US medical system of more than $1.5bn pa, half of this spent on the some 40,000 patients who are hospitalised with severe burns.

The agency said that these costs could increases significantly if there was armed conflict or a mass casualty event, given that up to 10% of combat injuries are burns, and that burns typically increase three-fold amongst civilians during wartime.

“Burns remain the fourth most common trauma in the international community, and cause one percent of non-fatal injuries in the US” IMS reported.

“Although burn fatalities have fallen over time, effectively managing burns remains a challenge, with significant morbidity and mortality among burn patients.

"Potential effects include shock, infection, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory distress, incapacitation, disfigurement, pain, and psychological complications due to scarring and deformity.”

In a review of potential economic benefits, IMS summarised that ReCell’s technology achieved faster epithelialisation of widely-meshed skin graft interstices and thus minimised donor site requirements.

It also showed improved long-term functional and aesthetic outcomes of grafting while also minimising follow-on procedure requirements, the IMS report said.

“We have data to show that ReCell is safe, and very effective in treating burns,” said Avita CEO Adam Kelliher.

“What we must also demonstrate is how our approach, in conjunction with other treatments, can save public health bodies money, by getting patients out of hospital faster, and improving their outcomes.

“The IMS study will generate standard budget impact metrics vital to driving discussions on reimbursement and access.”