Press release
Medical
Jena, Germany, June 13, 2023

Evonik company JeNaCell launches wound dressing epicite® balance for chronic wounds

  • Moist wound dressing for chronic wound treatment now available in Germany
  • Enables superior wound cleansing and reactivates healing of slow-healing wounds
  • Latest addition to JeNaCell’s unique portfolio of bioengineered cellulose products for wound management, implants, and drug delivery

 

JeNaCell, an Evonik company, launches the wound dressing epicite® balance onto the German market. Available from June 2023, the dressing is particularly suited and optimized for the treatment of chronic wounds with low to medium exudation, such as venous leg ulcers, arterial leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers and soft tissue lesions. epicite® balance comes in three different sizes and will be distributed through the company Coopmed ApS to hospitals and homecare centers.

“epicite® balance offers new treatment options for chronic wounds. The isotonic saline solution creates a moist wound environment, while the biosynthetic cellulose matrix can absorb wound exudate,” says Dr. Dana Kralisch, General Manager of JeNaCell and co-developer of epicite® balance. “Chronic wounds are often called the silent epidemic. They are affecting up to two percent of the population in industrialized countries, especially elderly patients.”

epicite® balance is made of biosynthetic cellulose, a hydropolymer for innovative medical device applications. The dressing enables superior wound cleansing effects and reactivates the healing of slow-healing wounds. epicite® balance is manufactured in Germany by JeNaCell via a proprietary fermentation process using renewable carbon sources.

This wound dressing is the latest addition to JeNaCell’s portfolio. The Evonik company focuses on developing and producing biosynthetic cellulose for medical device applications, implants, and drug delivery. JeNaCell was originally founded in 2012 as a spin-off of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany. In 2017, the first product epicite® hydro, a wound dressing for the treatment of burns, was launched. Evonik acquired JeNaCell in 2021 following prior a venture capital investment.

Evonik’s Health Care business line is a leading global system solutions provider for life science markets. The company’s medical device solutions portfolio is rooted in science and driven by continuous innovation to empower medical device companies to deliver on their promise of a healthier, fuller life to millions of people.

 

More information

Please find more information on epicite® balance here

Please find more information on the use of biosynthetic cellulose for medical devices here

Company information

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €18.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.49 billion in 2022. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. About 34,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

About Nutrition & Care

The focus of the business of the Nutrition & Care division is on health and quality of life. It develops differentiated solutions for active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical devices, nutrition for humans and animals, personal care, cosmetics, and household cleaning. In these resilient end markets, the division generated sales of €4.24 billion in 2022 with about 5,700 employees.  

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.