Development of a self-healing injectable hydrogel based on pectin and gelatin for the treatment of deep chronic wounds
INJECTHEAL (Horizon Europe Forschungsprojekt)
Italy (EU CORE Consulting srl · Project Coordination/Contact)New on Amplifa
About the Project
INJECTHEAL is a research project under Horizon Europe and not a manufacturing company. The consortium of 12 partners from 8 European countries (including Italy, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) is developing a multifunctional, self-healing injectable hydrogel intended to treat deep, cavity-rich chronic wounds and support tissue regeneration. The hydrogel is based on functionalized pectin and gelatin and serves both as an active-ingredient carrier and as a biomimetic matrix. It integrates antibacterial (e.g., octenidine), anti-inflammatory, and pro-angiogenic agents (e.g., Ac2-26 peptide and siRNAs). Poly(ε-Lysine) dendrimers enable the tuning of the degree of crosslinking as well as functional groups for cell adhesion, while immuno-protected polymeric microcapsules enable controlled, targeted drug release. The project includes GLP-compliant preclinical validation, industrial scale-up, regulatory consulting, and the preparation of first clinical trials. EU CORE Consulting srl in Italy is responsible for dissemination, communication, the Data Management Plan, and the Exploitation Plan.
- Site
- Italy (EU CORE Consulting srl
- Processes
- Development of a self-healing injectable hydrogel for chronic wounds, Therapeutic release (antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic), Preclinical validation, Industrial scale-up, Dissemination and communication, Data Management Plan and Exploitation Plan
- Materials
- Functionalized pectin and gelatin, Poly(ε-Lysine) dendrimers, Polymeric microcapsules
- Certificates
- GLP preclinical testing, ISO standards (in-vitro cell tests)
- Industries
- Medical Technology, Wound Care, Tissue Engineering, Biotechnology
- 01
Synthesis and characterization of Poly(ε-Lysine) dendrimers
- 02
Integration of the dendrimers into pectin/gelatin hydrogels
- 03
Functionalization with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and
- 04
Controlled drug release via polymeric microcapsules
- 05
Preclinical in-vitro and ex-vivo validation
- 06
Scale-up, business strategy and exploitation
Materials and Processes
Functionalized pectin and gelatin
Basis of the self-healing hydrogel, which serves as an active-ingredient carrier and biomimetic matrix.
Poly(ε-Lysine) dendrimers
Control the degree of crosslinking, porosity, and degradation kinetics of the hydrogel and carry bioligands for cell adhesion and angiogenesis.
Polymeric microcapsules
Immuno-protected vesicles protect sensitive active ingredients from enzymatic degradation and enable controlled, targeted release.
Sites
Italy
ITProject Coordination/Contact (EU CORE Consulting srl)
Components
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Reference customers
Preclinical Validation
Preclinical safety and efficacy testing is carried out according to GLP with progressive complexity – from ISO-standardized 2D cell tests and antimicrobial assays to 3D skin models, human wound exudates, and in-vivo animal models.
| Evidence | Consortium |
|---|---|
| GLP preclinical testing | |
| ISO standards (in-vitro cell tests) |
Project Timeline
- 2025
Project start of work packages WP1–WP6 on 01.05.2025; Horizon Europe consortium of 12 partners from 8 countries.
- 2026
17.06.2026: 1st Dissemination Event at the University of Brighton (CRMD) as part of the TCES Conference; 18.–19.06.2026: 2nd consortium meeting in Brighton.