Project: Silk fibroin microsphere for bedsores effective treatment

FIBROSPHERE has the goal to get to the production of effective natural medical devices for the treatment of bedsores, dermatosis and psoriasis starting from silk yarn directly selected on the market or from wastes of the production of silk textiles and dresses._x000D__x000D_Silk is usually known as a natural fiber used in textile, however it is, first of all, a bio-material. Silk is composed of two proteinic molecules: fibroin and sericin, both produced by the glands of silkworms Bombyx mori reared in captivity._x000D_Sericin is an amorphous protein with minor interest also for textiles (in fact it is eliminated during production using a process called “degumming”)._x000D_On the other side, fibroin is the protein that constitutes the fibrous part of the silk and is characterized with: high physical-mechanical properties, high chemical stability, high level of bio-compatibility, high level of cellular adhesion (resulting into great performances in cellular cultivation and preparation of scaffolds), filming and skin-protection functions, positive therapeutic action in the treatment of ulcerative pathologies and many affections of the skin, easy miscibility with other natural and synthetic polymers, easy miscibility with other substances (anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antibiotics) also stimulating healing and epithelisation, suitable for the preparation of fibrous, colloidal, idrogel and spongy supports, suitable for the preparation of micropowders structured in microspheres or micro-capsules (both pure or in blends with other polymers). SSS has been studying and developing lab-scale processes and products based on fibroin for the last ten years, resulting into high-performing prototypes presenting fibroin in different physical configurations (liquid, various sponge-wise shapes, powder, ...), many of which tested in terms of bio-compatibility (showing the highest performance in comparison with many other pharmaceutical compounds)._x000D__x000D_With FIBROSPHERE, project Ps want to perform a strongly market-oriented research developing both the product and the process for transforming silk yarn and silk textiles production wastes into a set of value-adding products intended for the medical and cosmetic market, over-performing functions of currently commericalized solutions._x000D__x000D_Project deliverables are as follows:_x000D_ - Fibroin in micro-spheres and micro-capsules _x000D_ - to be used in the form of aerosol for the treatment of bedsores_x000D_ - to be used in the form of idrogel for the treatment of dermatosis and psoriasis_x000D_ - Recovered sericin to be used for cosmetics_x000D_ - Fully validated production process starting from raw silk and ending with aerosol and idrogel_x000D__x000D_Lab testing have been already performed, especially by SSS, resulting into (more than) promising outcomes. FIBROSPHERE aims at transforming such lab-scale results into commercial solutions, attaining at fully functional prototypes both of the final mentioned products and of the processes to manufacture them._x000D__x000D_In order to reach the mentioned project goals, a set of activities have been planned forming the FIBROSPHERE work programme. Planned project activities (apart from management and dissemination&exploitation) cover the following steps:_x000D_1 - Efficient collection of silk production wastes AND selection of suitable raw silk yarn;_x000D_3 - Preparation of the raw material (procedures and protocols for cutting and cleaning raw silk);_x000D_4 - De-gumming: protocols, procedures and tests;_x000D_5 - Sericin recovery: protocols, procedures and tests;_x000D_6 - Selected fibroin fibers solubilization: protocols and lab tests;_x000D_7 - Solubilization and ultrafiltration: process and equipments;_x000D_8 - Solvent recovery and re-use;_x000D_9 - Fibroin recovery and tests;_x000D_10 - Fibroin co-formulations;_x000D_11 - Micro-spheres and micro-capsules production: process and equipment;_x000D_12 - Micro-spheres and micro-capsules test: protocols and procedures;_x000D_13 - Aerosol production: process and equipment;_x000D_14 - Idrogel and emulsions production: process and equipment;_x000D_15 - Co-formulation of fibroin with active substances;_x000D_16 - Medical testing._x000D__x000D_Final project activities will be devoted to the planning of exploitation meant both to register compounds developed within the project and creating a new commercial entity (a spin-off SME) with the participation of some of the project Ps and working for the commercialization of FIBROSPHERE project results._x000D__x000D_In order to perform the mentioned activities, project Ps will involve also selected external consultants/experts, especially medical experts in the area of wound, psoriasis and dermatosis treatment, that are interested and on tap for performing medical testing of project outcomes and support in the definition of suitable fibroin-based formulations._x000D__x000D_The most important project outcome is a set of medical devices strongly outperforming current commercial solutions for the treatment of bedsores (in particular) and dermatosis and psoriasis.

Acronym	FIBROSPHERE (Reference Number: 5227)
Duration	01/02/2010 - 31/01/2013
Project Topic	FIBROSPHERE aims at developing new options to exploit the value of silk production wastes, transforming them in high-value medical and cosmetic devices for the effective treatment of bedsores, dermatosis and psoriasis overcoming currently available commercial solutions
Project Results (after finalisation)	The project resulted into three CO outputs_x000D_1 - a laboratory-tested compound composed of micronized fibroin and other co-formulants_x000D_2 - a validated production process for the manufacturing of the above mentioned compound_x000D_3 - an equipment prototype for solubilization and ultrafiltration of silk fibroin
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 3

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
6	CENTRO TESSILE SERICO SPA CONSORTILE	Partner	Italy
6	MICRO MACINAZIONE SA	Coordinator	Switzerland
6	NEMBRI INDUSTRIE TESSILI SRL	Partner	Italy
6	STAZIONE SPERIMENTALE PER LA SETA	Partner	Italy
6	UNIVERSITA' DI PAVIA - DIPARTIMENTO CHIMICA FARMACEUTICA	Partner	Italy
6	UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCE OF SOUTHERN SWITZERLAND	Partner	Switzerland