The Pursuit of Innovation

A Rich History of University Partnerships

Soon after entering the medical field in 1980, Gunze teamed with the Research Center for Medical Polymers and Biomaterials at Kyoto University. This led to the development of the first bioabsorbable suture in Japan in 1983. Ever since that initial collaboration, Gunze has prioritized innovation through partnerships with universities and research institutions.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Angela’s Story

Born with single ventricle heart disease, Angela Irizarry was faced with the prospect of multiple open-heart surgeries as she grew. Thanks to the new tissue-engineered vascular graft technology with a biodegradable scaffold, Angela became the first patient in the U.S. to receive the first bioengineered synthetic graft¹. The graft was seeded with her own cells so it would grow with her^{1, 2}. This was the first bioengineered blood vessel implanted into a child with a congenital heart defect².

References
1. https://flutter.nationwidechildrens.org/angelas-story/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2VaNNCK93s

Gunze Provides Biodegradable Scaffolds for Clinical Trial

Seeking to improve patient clinical outcomes, Gunze’s biodegradable scaffolds are now being used in the first human tissue-engineered vascular grafts clinical trial at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Gunze is proud to continue this partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital as researchers work to confirm the safety and efficacy of biodegradable scaffolds.

Read the official news release.

Collaborate with Gunze's U.S. Medical Team

We are seeking to expand our R&D efforts with universities, research institutes, and teaching hospitals here in the U.S. Our goal is to support the medical community by developing innovative products, understanding unmet needs in the field, and finding new applications for existing products. If you would like to discuss a possible partnership with Gunze, contact us today!