Brisbane biotech Tissue Therapies (ASX: TIS) has begun an early stage human trial of its VitraGro technology, aimed at the wound care market.

The first trial, being held at the Fremantle Hospital in WA, is for the treatment of venous ulcers, the major cause of chronic wounds. The company is also awaiting approval from Canadian health authorities for a clinical trial for venous, diabetic and pressure ulcers (bed sores).

VitroGro uses a synthetic version of naturally occurring protein that is normally present in the human body at injury sites, to deliver multiple recombinant growth factors. It is an animal product-free alternative to fetal bovine serum or serum-derived factors.

The technology was developed by Professor Zee Upton and colleagues at Queensland University of Technology's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation.