Caseinova
Burns are one of medicine's oldest, deadliest, and most underestimated wounds.
Caseinova presents a novel approach to effective burn wound treatment.
The Problem:
Every year, over 10 million people suffer from burn injuries worldwide [1]. Despite advances in modern medicine, many wounds still heal poorly, often infect, and leave both physical and psychological scars. Early and effective wound care is critical, but even with proper treatment, scarring and complications remain common.
Burn injuries represent a staggering yet underappreciated global health crisis, with 7 to 12 million people requiring medical attention for burns each year - that s up to 33,000 cases every single day [8]. This burden falls especially hard on vulnerable populations: in low- and middle-income countries, limited access to medical infrastructure and early intervention makes burns significantly more life-threatening [6]. In India alone, over 1 million people suffer moderate to severe burns annually, and child mortality from burns in these regions is more than seven times higher than in wealthier nations [7].
The impacts of burn wounds are often lifelong. Survivors may face chronic pain, loss of skin function, disfigurement, and psychological trauma such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and even suicidal ideation - symptoms that can persist for years, even more than a decade after the initial injury [2, 10, 11]. These outcomes frequently result in long-term disability and social isolation, especially where rehabilitation services are limited or unavailable.
Traditionally, antibiotics are used to ensure faster and complication-free healing of burn wounds, as the skin loses its protective barrier. However, the global rise in antimicrobial resistance has made burn wound infections increasingly difficult to treat [3].
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Staphylococcus aureus
Acinetobacter baumannii
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii are among the main bacterial pathogens responsible for burn wound infections - once easily treated, these now often lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality rates, and pose a significant burden on healthcare systems [4].
As resistance grows, fewer antibiotics remain effective. Some bacterial strains have become resistant to nearly all availabledrugs, leaving very limited or no treatment options at all[5]. Globally, up to 180,000 people die from burn injuries every year.This issue is especially prevalent in low and middle-income regions, where treatment options are scarce and early interventionis often unavailable[6].
Without an effective solution, this global health burden will continue to claim thousands of lives annually and cause lifelongdisabilities for countless more.
Recognizing the severity and global impact of burn injuries, our team was inspired to search for a solution that could go beyond traditional wound care. Modern burn wound care is based on several standard treatments, yet each approach has differentdisadvantages that can negatively affect patient recovery. There are three major groups into which these treatments can be classified. (12)
1. Silver-Based Creams
Historically, creams such as silver sulfadiazine and mafenide acetate have been widely used to reduce superficial bacterial colonization. However, clinical evidence suggests that silver-based products can potentially delay wound recovery, and if overused, they can contribute to antimicrobial resistance development. (12)
2. Conventional Dressings
Conventional dressings such as silicone gel sheets or gauze are standard care options. However, these dressings often adhere to wounds, causing pain and tissue trauma during removal. They frequently fail to provide adequate moisture and protection from infection. (13)
3. Biological Dressings
Advanced treatment options include biological dressings and skin grafting techniques. While they are sometimes effective for temporary wound coverage, they do not permanently replace skin, face immune rejection risks, and have a limited supply. Hydrogel dressings can maintain a moist environment but alone lack the mechanical strength, targeted antibacterial action, or the ability to promote robust tissue regeneration and revascularization. (14, 15)
In summary, there are many treatment methods to support burn wound healing, but each falls short in some aspect of providing optimal and uninterrupted recovery. We believed that by combining cutting-edge science with creative problem-solving, we could overcome these limitations and reimagine wound care for the people who need it the most.
Motivated by the urgent need for better solutions, our team set out to address this challenge by harnessing the potential ofsynthetic biology and a fresh perspective. In the early stages of ideation, we asked ourselves: What if we could create asmart wound healing material from naturally derived, accessible components? What if cells didn t just survive burns - butwere guided to rebuild?
These questions became the foundation of our project, leading us to explore innovative ways to support the body's natural healing process.