MTEC recognizes exceptional research through inaugural Prototype of the Year Awards
April 15, 2019
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) recognized two outstanding project teams who received the first annual Prototype of the Year Awards at our 2019 Membership Meeting. The Prototype of the Year Awards are given to organizations that have displayed superb progress toward the advancement of prototype development related to MTEC project awards.
Humacyte, Inc. received the Prototype of the Year – Large Project Award for completing commercial-scale manufacturing, stability testing, and safety testing of a human acellular vessel (HAV). HAV is a novel regenerative medicine, human blood vessel product developed for the warfighter that, upon surgical implantation, can repopulate and remodel with the recipient’s own cells to address serious, life-threatening combat injuries. The Humacyte team is in active interactions with the U.S. FDA and has already completed much work in support of Biologics License Application (BLA) submission.
“As one of the early members and supporters of MTEC, Humacyte has been honored to receive funding to develop life-saving products to support the U.S. Warfighter,” said Dr. Theodore Lithgow, Chief Commercial Officer of Humacyte. “We are both excited and honored to be selected for MTEC’s Prototype of the Year – Large Project Award.”
Additionally, a project team from the University of Texas at Arlington and ReHeal, LLC was awarded the Prototype of the Year – Acceleration Award for their work to develop a process for manufacturing a novel wound therapy dressing for complex hand wounds. The University of Texas and ReHeal team completed critical work to enable low-volume production of the REHEAL dressing, and they will now move forward with testing this system in early feasibility studies and subsequent clinical trials.
Mickey McCabe, Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) acknowledged the significance of the Prototype of the Year Award: “The MTEC award is a recognition that the University of Texas at Arlington and UTARI have the expertise and resources necessary to take on time-sensitive, goal-oriented projects. This award also builds on a long history of successful delivery of research results and intellectual property to companies and all branches of our nation’s military.”
Dr. Lauren Palestrini, MTEC’s Director of Research, congratulated both teams: “Thank you to the Humacyte team and the University of Texas and ReHeal team for your outstanding research efforts and your continued dedication to the wounded warrior. Your groundbreaking achievements will help medical teams deliver quality, life-changing care to our service members.”
“We are grateful to both of these project teams—and to all MTEC members—for the important work they are doing to advance technologies that meet military and civilian needs,” said General Lester Martinez, MD, MPH, Major General (Retired), U.S. Army, President and Chairman of the MTEC Board. “Humacyte’s HAV technology and the REHEAL Glove from the University of Texas and ReHeal team are just two of the many MTEC-supported capabilities that are improving the safety and well-being of our warfighters.”
Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium
The Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves those who serve our nation. Over the last decades, our warfighters have suffered devastating trauma. In partnership with the Department of Defense and private support, MTEC is working to prevent injuries and accelerate the development of revolutionary medical solutions that will enhance wound healing, and return the wounded to fully functioning lives. Ultimately, all citizens will benefit from these technologies and health care solutions. To find out more about MTEC, visit mtec-sc.org.
