Department of Surgery plastic surgery resident published in PLOS One

Mihail Climov, M.D., a PGY-4 in the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery, published a research article in the Public Library of Science journal PLOS One.

Climov’s paper analyzed the life cycles of skin replacement technologies, a topic highly relevant to the plastic surgery field. Seeing many bioengineered skin products come to market and then fail commercially, despite the fact they produced excellent clinical results, was the impetus for the research.

The study identified three dominant clusters of technologies: processed biologics, extracellular matrix technologies, and cell-based technologies. Climov et al. noted that based on previous research, once any biotechnology achieves maturity, commercial products emerge 7 to 30 years after that point.

Climov et al. found that one area, extracellular matrix technologies, typically had products coming to market four years before the technology matured, making this technological cluster unique. This cluster also was the most numerous in commercial products and had easier FDA regulations.

The findings suggest that replacement skin technology is a rapidly growing and progressing field, giving the overall market a better chance of overall success. Climov et al. concluded that scientists, by focusing on the technological trends, ease of production, cost efficiency, regulations and simplicity of clinical application have a better opportunity to help drive the technology to produce more successful products.

To learn more about the WVU Department of Surgery, visit https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/surgery/