The Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) has developed what it says is the world’s first tissue graft scaffold made from the gall bladder of farm animals, aimed at speeding up wound healing.
In a statement, the institute announced the development of Cholederm, a freeze-dried sheet derived from the cholecystic extracellular matrix, designed for use in dermal applications.
SCTIMST, which holds nearly 250 Indian patents and has completed close to 90 technology transfers, said the innovation was achieved by its Division of Experimental Pathology led by Professor T.V. Anilkumar, a veterinary pathologist and scientist. The division has been working since 2008 on medical devices created from extracellular matrices sourced from farm animal organs and tissues.
According to the institute, it has pioneered a first-of-its-kind technology to extract extracellular matrix from farm animal gall bladders and convert it into thin lyophilised sheets, powders and gel formulations. The work is supported by more than 25 peer-reviewed international publications and 10 Indian patents.
Cholederm is reported to enhance wound repair with minimal scarring by promoting re-epithelialisation, angiogenesis, tissue regeneration and favourable collagen remodelling.
The technology was transferred in 2017 to Alicorn Medical Pvt Ltd, a start-up incubated at SCTIMST’s Technology Incubation and Medical Device (TIMED) facility. The company registered the product as CholeDermR and began steps toward commercial manufacturing. In 2023, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved it as a Class D medical device.
Highlighting its sustainability aspect, SCTIMST said the product transforms farm animal gall bladders typically treated as slaughterhouse waste into a high-value medical product, generating additional income for livestock farmers while reducing waste.
Sharing clinical outcomes, Dr Vishwajit Singh, MD (Dermatology) at DY Patil Medical College, Pune, said more than 20 patients, including those with diabetes and leprosy and ulcers persisting from four months to 17 years, were treated using CholeDerm, with complete wound closure reported in all cases.
He added that the graft was clinician-friendly, requiring only a single application followed by review after seven days, unlike conventional wound dressings that need daily changes.
SCTIMST said the innovation aligns with national programmes such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Ayushman Bharat. Alicorn Medical plans to seek international regulatory clearances to meet global standards and expand access worldwide.
The institute described CholeDerm as a strong example of successful academia-industry collaboration in high-risk medical devices, with an emphasis on regulatory compliance, clinical adoption and patient outcomes.