Injectable Products

With an injectable formulation of the Humacyte product, there are several different markets that can be addressed. For instance, an injectable collagen can be used as a dermal filler in the cosmetics market or as a bulking agent in the urological markets.

Cosmetic procedures in the United States had a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% from 1997 to 2005. The increased number was primarily fueled by non-surgical procedures. People are gravitating towards minimally invasive techniques as their actual procedure and recovery times are on average shorter than surgical operations. Of the nearly 11.5 million total cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2005, 81% were non-surgical. Correspondingly, a shift of filler types within the major players of non-surgical procedures is occurring. This market is demonstrating a constant need for new products as these patients are looking for new "cutting-edge" products to fill wrinkles and repair scars, primarily in the facial region. The Humacyte product will fit nicely into this market space, given the unique characteristics, longer lasting yet not permanent, and novel composition of the product.

Bulking agents have been used for the management of stress urinary incontinence for more than a decade, but their application has been limited by durability and antigenicity or compatibility issues. Periurethral injection therapy has excellent short-term results as a minimally invasive procedure. In 2004, approximately 84,000 bulking agent procedures were performed in the United States. Long-term success is possible, but multiple re-injections are typically necessary. Substance composition should ensure lack of migration, lack of local inflammation and chronic tissue changes, facility of agent use, and an optimized host environment. Humacyte's product used as a bulking agent would be biocompatible, hypoallergenic, and stable on injection.