• Highly pure and reproducible; simplifies regulatory medical device approval
• Improved performance due to highly tunable properties
• Fermentation-based manufacturing leverages Evonik’s biotechnology platform

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Essen, Germany. Evonik’s recombinant, non-animal-derived collagen platform is now available at commercial scale. Vecollan® is a highly pure and soluble collagen that is produced via fermentation. It features a triple-helix structure to mimic the properties of natural collagen, making it suitable for use in medical, pharmaceutical, cell culture, tissue, and other life science applications.

Vecollan® is the latest addition to Evonik’s differentiating system solutions for the medical device industry, and is backed by application, development, and manufacturing services from its medical device application centers in Birmingham, Alabama in the U.S., Darmstadt, Germany and Shanghai, China. The fermentation-based production process was developed together with the Evonik innovation unit Creavis and leverages the biotechnology platform of the company’s life sciences division Nutrition & Care. The division aims to grow its share of system solutions from 20 percent today to more than 50 percent by 2030.

“Next-generation materials, like our collagen, inspire the creation of new and safer medical applications that previously might not have been feasible. We are excited to bring this nature-identical biomaterial to market at large scale,” said Maximillian Yeh, head of the Health Solutions product line at Evonik’s Health Care business.

Collagen is a protein found in bones, muscles, skin, and tendons. It forms a scaffold to provide strength and structure. Animal-derived collagen, currently the main source of collagen used in life sciences and pharmaceutical applications, can be associated with batch-to-batch variability, potential transmission of diseases or pathogens, adverse immunogenic or allergic reactions, and non-sustainable sourcing methods. As a nature-identical material, Vecollan® can reliably interact with cells and tissues and be readily absorbed or remodelled by the body. This highly pure form of collagen is produced under precisely controlled conditions, ensuring it is safe, sustainable and scalable.

“Our collagen - Vecollan® - is highly tuneable and customizable to different product forms like hydrogels, sponges or inks to support our customer’s development projects. Whether for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, aesthetic dermatology or dental applications, we are committed to finding the most suitable solution for our customers”, said Andreas Karau, global head of biomaterials at Evonik’s Health Care business line.

The medical device solutions portfolio at Evonik’s Health Care business 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.

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