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SUPRA EPT™
Engineered Polylactide Technology

What is SUPRA EPT™?

SUPRA EPT™ from PolyMedics Innovations (PMI) is the proprietary engineered polylactide technology that is the basis of our innovative range of synthetic wound healing products. While polylactic acid polymers have been used in medical devices since the late 1980s, particularly in bioabsorbable sutures, PMI has advanced this technology by taking bioabsorbable membranes and matrices to a new level.

The SUPRA EPT™ polymer enables us to create unique structures that are not found in biological products:

  • Optimized and scalable porosity that supports angiogenesis and tissue ingrowth
  • Pliability and flexibility at room temperature
  • Adhesion and immediate conformation to the wound surface
  • No preparation necessary prior to application
  • No biological risks
  • Hydrolytically biodegradable to CO2 and H2O

Lactate promotes wound healing

Studies suggest that lactate supports wound healing by promoting angiogenesis and (epi-)dermis formation by:

  • Increase in VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) level1-4
  • Promotion of the migration of endothelial cells4-7 and fibroblasts8
  • Increase in collagen synthesis1,6,9-11

Lactic acid lowers the pH value

Lactic acid (pKa 3.83) lowers the pH value, which accelerates wound healing by:

  • Reduction of MMP activity12
  • Improvement of tissue oxygenation12,13
  • Promotion of an unfavourable environment for pathogens12

What makes SUPRA EPT™ unique?

SUPRA EPT™ is based on a proprietary lactide copolymer that is integrated into a special porous structure, which is also found in PMI’s SUPRATHEL® membrane and SUPRA SDRM® matrix. The combination of the polymer and unique structure creates an ideal environment for cell migration, promotes tissue regeneration and supports re-epithelialisation.

SUPRATHEL → SUPRA SDRM →

Why use synthetics?

As synthetics are not based on biological materials, there is a much lower risk of contamination by residues of biological substances (e.g. proteins or pyrogens) which can trigger inflammation, allergic reactions or rejection of the material.

Why use synthetics?

Compared to collagen dressings, PMI synthetic technology has been proven to reduce the healing time of chronic wounds by more than 40%.14

1Constant et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2000 Sep-Oct;8(5):353-60. | 2Hunt et al. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2007 Aug; 9(8): 1115–1124.Lu et al. J Biol Chem. 2005 Dec 23;280(51):41928-39. | 3Trabold et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2003 Nov-Dec;11(6):504-9.| 4Kumar et al. J Cell Physiol. 2007 May;211(2):477-85. | 5Beckert et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2006 May-Jun;14(3):321-4. | 6Porporato et al. Angiogenesis. 2012 Dec;15(4):581-92. | 7Ruan et al. J Biol Chem. 2013 Jul 19;288(29):21161-72.| 8Wagner et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2004 May-Jun;12(3):368-73. | 9Green et al. Nature. 1964 Oct 24:204:347-9. | 10Hunt et al. Am J Surg. 1978 Mar;135(3):328-32. | 11Klein et al. J Hand Surg Am. 2001 Sep;26(5):847-54. | 12Strohal et al. Adv. Skin Wound Care. 2018;31:163–171122-131 | 13Basavraj et al. January 2015. Wounds: a Compendium of Clinical Research and Practice 27(1):5-11. | 14Liden et al. Wounds. 2023 Aug;35(8):E257-60.