Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, is a fibrous protein that provides tensile strength to tissues giving them structural integrity. Collagen and its derivative, gelatin, have been widely used in medical, pharmaceutical and consumer products for more than 100 years. The supply of these materials, created from animal remains, is both abundant and inexpensive. However, most formulations are not highly purified and have the potential to cause an inflammatory reaction in some product users. In addition, concerns have been raised over the last several years about the potential for contamination of bovine products with the agent that causes mad cow disease and its human variant, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

FibroGen develops synthetic versions of human collagens, such as FG-5016 (recombinant human collagen type III), using proprietary recombinant methodology in a yeast expression system. FibroGen's recombinant human collagens offer superior, highly purified, fully characterized, biocompatible alternatives to animal-derived collagen for use in numerous pharmaceutical and medical applications.

FibroGen has developed several prototype products and conducted proof of concept studies demonstrating the application of FibroGen recombinant human collagens (types I and III) in a broad range of formats including: tissue sealants/hemostats, drug delivery, wound healing, stents/vascular graft coatings, tissue engineering, cell attachment.

Read more about the biomaterial applications of FG-5016.