Press Releases

August 24, 2007
Stratatech Awarded $1,452,000 NIH Grant

Stratatech Corporation has received a $1,452,000 Phase II SBIR grant from the National Institute on Aging. This new award will support development of an innovative, genetically-enhanced skin tissue product. Stratatech is working to develop human skin substitutes which will stimulate the in-growth of blood vessels into chronic ulcers, thereby hastening their healing.

Chronic ulcers often are complicated by poor vascularization, which contributes to poor wound healing. It is estimated that in the United States alone, millions of people annually suffer from chronic ulcers. Diabetic, venous stasis and pressure ulcers are particularly problematic for aged individuals and impact an elderly patient's quality of life, often resulting in serious complications such as pain, infection, and amputation.

Stratatech, which currently has 24 employees, was established in 2000 and currently operates within the MGE Innovation Center in University Research Park in Madison, WI. Its flagship product, StrataGraft™ skin tissue, is currently being evaluated in a clinical trial for the treatment of burns and other severe skin trauma. Stratatech is also developing a portfolio of engineered skin tissue products that are genetically modified to promote the healing of chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, venous stasis ulcers and pressure ulcers (bedsores). Stratatech’s products are based on a patented, unique source of pathogen-free human skin cells that was identified at the University of Wisconsin.