“I never think of limitations”: Marie-Ange Passemard about her career dedicated to “making a difference”

On occasion of International Women’s Day, we at PMI would like to introduce a woman who is a well-known face and figure in the burn community – for good reason.

How long have you been working with PMI?

I started working with PMI in June 2022. It does feel longer for me and probably for everybody else, too. I guess that is because I’ve been in the field of tissue reconstruction for so long.

What’s your exact position at PMI?

For PolyMedics Innovations, I coordinate international business and sales.

What’s your education and career before joining PMI?

Medical products became part of my life at a rather young age. When I studied international business, I did my practical training at Dental. Afterwards, I stayedwith them in customer service for eight years. Then, they sold their division and I joined Integra. With them I worked in customer service, Marketing and Sales. I became Senior Director EMEA for tissue technology.

It was in 2016 when I was ready for a change, so I started my own business distributingproducts for hair restoration and burn care.I don’t have children of my own – in that respect life wasn’t kind to me– so I was free to follow my job. I never think about limitations, much rather about opportunities. That’s true for both my professional as well as my personal life.

How did your path lead you to SUPRATHEL and SUPRA SDRM?

PMI was looking for a distributor for France; we started talking – as I mentioned already, the burn community is small and we knew each other – and set up our arrangement.

What markets do you look after for PMI?

With its products SUPRATHEL and SUPRA SDRM, PMI is present in 40 countries. In a number of these countries, e.g. the U.S. and Germany, we do direct sales. However, the majority of our markets are handled by distributors – and this is my turf. Currently, I’m in charge of 31 markets.

How many miles do you travel every year?

No idea! On average, I do two big trips every month.

What’s most fascinating in your job?

For one thing, I’m a curious person and I like to meet people from all around the globe. Secondly, in the medical field everybody and every – good – product makes a difference. I guess that is what drives me.

What are you most proud of?

Tissue reconstruction is a very special and complex field. I’m proud of my knowledge and experience in this area. I also like to share what I know with other people, so I like doing seminars and teaching new-comers to our field. I love to convince people by numbers, results, experiences.

My job is challenging, no doubt about that, and I love challenging myself and other people.

Can you tell us about a personal highlight in your career?

I remember an incident many years ago. There were these two women who had suffered severe burn injuries. On their bellies, there was a lot of scar tissue so they couldn’t, or rather shouldn’t get pregnant; as the child grows in the abdomen, the abdominal skin must be able to expand. Scar tissue cannot do this. Thanks to tissue reconstruction they could both become mothers. I was very happy for these two women. It gives a deep sense to my daily work.

More Space for a Strong Partner in Treatment of Burns and Chronic Wounds: PolyMedics Innovations (PMI) Relocates to New Premises in Atlanta, GA

By the end of August 2023, PolyMedics Innovations (PMI) relocated to a new premise in Woodstock, a suburb of Atlanta, GA. The new building provides more space, especially for a growing volume of logistics tasks. PMI, a German family firm specialized in biomedical engineering, has maintained a facility in Georgia for some time. Suprathel, PMI’s best-known product, has been used successfully for years to treat burns, especially in pediatric surgery, and the company recently launched SupraSDRM for the
treatment of chronic wounds in the U.S. market. PMI’s constant growth—between 40 and 50
percent per annum over the past five years—has made it necessary to relocate to larger
business premises. That applies to Germany too. In July, PMI inaugurated its new HQ in
Kirchheim/Teck in south Germany.

Potential for Synthetic Solutions
Innovative wound care products are PMI’s specialty. Suprathel, a temporary skin replacement for use in treating burns, has been on the market since 2004 and is now the “gold standard” for treating second-degree burns, especially in children. Suprathel promotes wound healing, prevents infections, and relieves pain. It has been used to treat over 70,000 patients. In the U.S., Suprathel has long and increasingly been used in hospitals across the country. The larger PMI premises in Georgia and a continuously growing U.S. sales team testify to this trend.
Another product, SupraSDRM, is achieving impressive successes in treating chronic or hard-to-heal
wounds. The biodegradable matrix combines the advantages of Suprathel’s membrane structure,
which supports the wound healing process, with additional large pores that promote sprouting in
blood vessels. The U.S. product launch of SupraSDRM is currently under way.
“We have future-oriented solutions with the potential to revolutionize wound healing and help many patients,” says Christian Planck. His father Prof. Heinrich Planck founded PMI with other scientists in 2001. The research institute spinoff is unusual in the industry. It is an owner-managed family firm with management that has been shared by Prof. Heinrich Planck and son Christian Planck since 2014.

Ample Space for Growth and Logistics
The new building in Woodstock, GA is an important logistics center for fast, on-time shipping of
Suprathel and SupraSDRM in the U.S. The increase in size was needed with PMI’s growth in the U.S.
to continue efficient order processing, inventory management, customer service, and many other
major logistical functions. PMI’s U.S. sales team for both burn and wound care is around 20 strong and spread across the entire country. The same applies to its sales partners, a network that serves all 50 states.

State-of-the-Art HQ in Germany too
Just a few weeks ago, on July 14, 2023, PMI inaugurated its new German HQ. In Kirchheim/Teck, near Stuttgart, where the German team, about 50 strong, has approximately 32,300 square feet at its disposal. The new building houses administration, marketing and sales, research and development, and production. Suprathel and SupraSDRM are manufactured in a state-of-the-art clean room in constant conditions regardless of whether the temperature outside is 65° or 95°F. The logistics department ensures swift and global shipment of Suprathel and SupraSDRM.
PMI’s newly built Kirchheim HQ also meets the latest energy efficiency standards in geothermal
heating, air conditioning, production heat recovery, and more. Nobody needs to sweat if the
temperature is high in July. Before the year is out, a photovoltaic system on the roof will complete
the process of sustainable power generation.

SUPRATHEL (HCPCS code A2012) and SUPRA SDRM (HCPCS code A2011) are included on the latest Group 2 Covered Codes by three Medicare Administrative Contractors – Novitas, FCSO, and CGS

Due to PMI’s proven scientific and robust peer-reviewed published clinical evidence and FDA 510(k) regulatory status, three Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) – Novitas, FCSO, and CGS – are including both Suprathel and SupraSDRM on their Group 2 Covered Codes List included in their Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) and associated Local Coverage Articles (LCAs). PMI is thrilled that Suprathel and SupraSDRM will continue to be accessible to more patients across the U.S.

These MACs positively impact ~14 million Medicare beneficiaries in these states:

  • Novitas States: Arkansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania (includes Part B for counties of Arlington and Fairfax in Virginia and the city of Alexandria in Virginia)
  • FCSO States: Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
  • CGS States: Kentucky, Ohio

These coverage updates for each of these MACs will be effective September 17, 2023. Previous LCDs and LCAs remain in effect until September 16, 2023.

For more information about Suprathel and SupraSDRM, please contact your local representative or info.usa@polymedics.com.

For reimbursement inquiries, please contact reimbursement.usa@polymedics.com.

 

Visions in Oil and a Picture-Postcard Summer Party: Team Week and the Inauguration of Polymedics Innovations GmbH’s New Kirchheim HQ

A week full of highlights lies behind us. July 10 to 14 was Team Week at our new Kirchheim/Teck HQ. Our sales team, the marketeers and our medical specialists all accepted the invitation and came to Kirchheim from much of Europe and the United States. We discussed our aims and opportunities, bundled our capacities and above all experienced so much together as a team. The crowning finale was the festive inauguration of the new PMI HQ on July 14, 2023.

Successful Collaboration

The Thursday was especially challenging for us as a team. Led by external trainers, we had to capture our office vibes. What worked well and where was there scope for improvement? Where can everybody work on themselves? Our Managing Partner Christian Planck answered the employees’ 20 most important questions and shared the strategy and planning for the next ten years. In the afternoon our task was to contemplate the Vision 2030 in the form of a picture. Around 60 PMI colleagues met in interdisciplinary working groups, created pictorial images of their ideas and presented them to the plenary at the vernissage. The final act of the day was highly symbolic: the hoisting of PMI flags outside the new building and its joint handover to our senior partner Heinrich Planck and his son Christian Planck.

A Look Over Shoulders

On Friday morning most of us spent our time getting down to work on the production of Suprathel and Supra SDRM. Suprathel is a synthetic membrane-based skin replacement that is used on second-degree and extensive burns. Supra SDRM achieves successes in the treatment of chronic wounds that can heal even after years. All PMI products are developed, manufactured and packed in Kirchheim and then shipped worldwide.

“Work by Day. Guests in the Evening.”

In keeping with Goethe’s words, the conclusion of our intensive Team Week was the summer party at which the new HQ building was ceremonially inaugurated. Along with our PMI team business partners, representatives of local, regional and national government and friends and companions celebrated the occasion. Prof. Dr. Heinrich Planck, senior partner and founder of Polymedics, mentioned benchmark data of the construction project now completed. Architect Antonio Camuti of Klein – Sommer – Camuti – Hubschneider dealt with the project’s special challenges, especially the clean rooms and the desire to be able to extend the premises.

His son and fellow-CEO Christian Planck gave an indication in his speech of how much corporate growth lay behind the relocation to the new HQ site. Over the past three years the company, he said, had grown by nearly 300 percent, dipping briefly into the financials. A figure at least as impressive was the around 180,000 patients treated with PMI products in recent years.

Political Congratulations

Johannes Bauernfeind of the health insurer AOK Baden-Württemberg was the first keynote speaker. He emphasized PMI’s positive contributions to the healthcare system: the high-quality wound care that Polymedics Innovations products made possible and the societal benefit of providing jobs that were subject to social security contributions. The next speaker was Pascal Bader, lord mayor of Kirchheim/Teck. “We are delighted and proud that you are here,” he said. It was, after all, about implementing ideas and innovations. Markus Grübel, a Christian Democratic member of the German Bundestag, thanked the company and its owners “for having invested in Germany.” He expressed appreciation of the family image and the values for which the Planck family stood and the unabated “entrepreneurial spirit” of senior partner Heinrich Planck. Nils Schmid of the Social Democrats echoed these words of praise and especially underscored the entrepreneurial risk of growing the company. CDU state assemblywoman Dr. Natalie Pfau-Weller talked about the product’s symbolic power and the passion that lay behind a product that protected many people from pain. The final speaker, Karin Maag, an independent member of the Federal Joint Committee, a public health body, outlined the course of a medical device to approval. “The faster we can make available a new medication or new medical product to the patient, the better,” she said.”

The guests—as wished by the hosts and speakers—went on to enjoy the food, the musical entertainment and discussions on a balmy summer evening.

Successful Treatments with PMI Products Presented Afloat: “The Wound” on Neckar Cruise

“This year we’re on the Neckar; in the future we may even be hiring an Aida cruise liner. Attendee numbers are, after all, increasing steadily year on year.” With these witty and engaging words PMI’s Max Fröhlich welcomed guests and speakers at the second Polymedics Innovations (PMI) SwimPosium. Around 30 physicians—surgeons and specialists in burn medicine—took up the invitation to attend a conference afloat on the Neckar River between Stuttgart and Marbach on April 15. Its striking title “The Wound,” host Max Fröhlich explained, was modeled on Baden-Württemberg’s advertising slogan “The Länd.”

Revolutionizing Wound Healing

“The Wound” was, however, the right choice in that wound care was the subject of the day’s proceedings and a task that PMI has set itself for around 20 years. “Revolutionizing wound healing” is the company’s vision, a vision it has pursued mainly by means of the products Suprathel® and Supra SDRM® along with NovoSorb BTM®, of which PMI is the distributor.

Downstream with the Extensive Range of Experience with Suprathel

The speakers in the first block of “The Wound” dealt with their experience of using Suprathel®, a hydrolytic, resorbable synthetic membrane with properties similar to those of human skin. PMI’s Dr. Jadranka Dobra explained the reasons for the benefits of Suprathel®, these being a significant relief of pain, swifter healing and improved cosmetic results a lower infection rate, and decreased transplant rate. Dr. Nico Marathovouniotis of the Cologne Clinics reported on his experience of using Suprathel® to treat Stevens-Johnson syndrome (or toxic epidermal necrolysis), an allergic reaction to the administration of drugs. He noted as particular benefits the lower susceptibility to infection and the pain relief. Dr. Nastassja Becker and Dr. David Funk focused on Suprathel®’s limitations, suggesting an intensive exchange of experiences. Dr. Dorothee Rickert concluded the Suprathel® block with a report on the successful use of Suprathel® 250 in the ENT sector, especially in connection with carcinomas of the tongue.

Turning-point in Marbach am Neckar: Supra SDRM Successes Extend Beyond Chronic Wounds

Supra SDRM® is a product closely related to Suprathel® but with a more coarsely pored structure. It has been approved since 2014. The lectures by speakers Dr. Matthias Rapp of the Marienhospital in Stuttgart and by Dr. Hanspeter Kiefer made it clear that in addition to this “classical use” the application range of Supra SDRM is much more extensive. At the Stuttgart Marienhospital Supra SDRM® is used successfully to treat more severe burns, whereas Hanspeter Kiefer presented the benefits of Supra SDRM® in treating older, multimorbid patients. He noted in particular that outpatients could be treated with Supra SDRM®—treatment that is more comfortable and less expensive.

PMI has commissioned further studies on the use of Supra SDRM® from Joanneum Research Coremed at the University of Graz in Austria. Dr. Andrei Hecker of the Graz institute outlined their scope and status.

Upstream with NovoSorb BTM and Good Reconstruction Results

NovoSorb® BTM, which Polymedics Innovations distributes, is a further synthetic skin pad that complements PMI’s own product range. NovoSorb® BTM matrix is used as a dermal skin substitute for wounds that require a transplantation. It helps the body to form a dermis. Dr. Ina Nietzschmann of MVZ Bergmannstrost Halle, Dr. Sarah Fennel of the Olgahospital in Stuttgart and Dr. Alexandru Tocut from the pediatric clinic Karlsruhe dealt with the successful use of NovoSorb® BTM at their clinics. They featured numerous examples of trauma treatment and reconstruction successfully undertaken with NovoSorb BTM and were thereby able to show that it can be used successfully on wounds with exposed bones or tendons.

PMI’S new headquarters are currently under construction in Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany



Our globally active, family-run company with innovative products for wound care has started a huge project:

In order to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for our products, we have our sister company PMO GmbH set up a new headquarters in Kirchheim unter Teck, Am Hegelesberg.
The building is easy to reach for our employees, customers and business partners thanks to the convenient connection to the A8 motorway (exit Kirchheim West) and public transport (bus & train).
Building and production are equipped with the most modern energy concepts (geothermal energy, climate and production heat recovery, environmentally friendly chiller). In this way, 70 tons of CO2 per year can be saved.
The building will be ready for occupancy in January 2023. Productions in a great clean room with the latest technology, administration with spacious offices and the research and development department with test laboratory will find a total of 3,000 square meters of space. The previous production in Denkendorf will also be retained.

Numerous interesting jobs are being created in this innovative company, which is internationally active in the future market of healthcare. e.g. in business organization, facility management, chemical production, sales and marketing, logistics and worldwide shipping. The employees, management and shareholders are delighted with this strategic future decision for the benefit of patients and society.

HCPCS Code A2011 – SUPRA SDRM & HCPCS Code A2012 – SUPRATHEL

Effective April 1, 2022, CMS created the following HCPCS codes that may be reported for SUPRATHEL® and SUPRA SDRM® Synthetic Skin Substitutes:

HCPCS Code Description
A2011 SUPRA SDRM, per sq cm
A2012 SUPRATHEL, per sq cm

When billed in the physician office, the relevant A-code should be reported along with the appropriate CPT code for the application of skin substitute (CPT codes 15271-15278).

As of January 1, 2023, CMS has assigned SUPRATHEL and SUPRA SDRM to the high-cost category when billed in the hospital outpatient and ASC setting. It is important to note:

  • Hospital outpatient departments will report the appropriate CPT codes for the application of skin substitute and the appropriate A-code for SUPRATHEL or SUPRA SDRM.
  • ASCs will report the appropriate CPT code for the application of skin substitute. ASCs do not separately report the A-codes.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our customer service:

General Inquiries & Product Trials: INFO.USA@POLYMEDICS.COM
Reimbursement & Billing Questions: REIMBURSEMENT.USA@POLYMEDICS.COM

Or call PMI customer service: (646) 604-2771

 

NEW! SUPRATHEL® Webinars & Whitepapers

Compendio Médico SUPRATHEL®

Fecha: Martes 9 de Junio de 2020
Hora: 12:00pm (MEX)
Ponente: Dr. Ariel Miranda Altamirano

 

Compendio Médico SUPRATHEL®

Watch now (haga clic aquí)
Contraseña: 0o=.w536

“El amor por los niños ha llevado al doctor Ariel Miranda Altamirano a conformar uno de los espacios más reconocidos del OPD Hospital Civil de Guadalajara y uno de los mejores de América Latina.
Cirujano de profesión, levantó de cero la Unidad de Niños con Quemaduras, del Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Dr. Juan I. Menchaca”, que ha atendido a miles de pacientes de Jalisco y el occidente de México, no sólo para darles una mejor calidad de vida sino también para darles una esperanza de supervivencia”
Gaceta, por Mariana González Márquez, – marzo 18, 2020

On-Demand Webinars

A Potent Versatile Dressing and Skin Substitute – Not Just for Partial Thickness Burns and Donor Sites

Speaker: Dr. Herbert Haller
Senior Medical Consultant
at Herbert Haller Medical Consulting

A Potent Versatile Dressing and Skin Substitute – Not Just for Partial Thickness Burns and Donor Sites
Watch now (Please click here)
Password: Webinar2020*
Dr. Haller will provide an overview of the Suprathel technology, its indications and publications. With more than 15 years of Suprathel experience Dr. Haller is one of the most experienced Suprathel users in the world. He is excited to share his insights into the technology with his colleagues from around the world.

As Xenograft retires, SUPRATHEL® is an important known alternative with excellent outcomes

Speaker: Dr. Roselle Crombie
Widely recognized US General Surgeon who specializes in Burn Surgery practicing at Bridgeport and Yale

 

As Xenograft retires, SUPRATHEL® is an important known alternative with excellent outcomes
Watch now (Please click here)
Password: Webinar20*

Dr. Crombie is a widely recognized US burn surgeon practicing at Bridgeport and Yale. After years of experience with xenografts, Dr. Crombie replaced the technology with SUPRATHEL two years ago. In this webinar, Dr. Crombie will share her rationale for having transitioned to SUPRATHEL and her experiences with SUPRATHEL compared to xenografts.


SUPRATHEL® Whitepapers

White Paper on the Use of Suprathel® after Enzymatic Debridement with Nexobrid®

Open access publications

2021
Made in Germany: A Quality Indicator Not Only in the Automobile Industry But Also When It Comes to Skin Replacement: How an Automobile Textile Research Institute Developed a New Skin Substitute