Aroa Biosurgery Limited (Auckland, New Zealand, formerly Mesynthes Limited, New Zealand) is a regenerative medicine company that develops, manufactures and distributes products for wound healing and soft tissue reconstruction. Aroa Biosurgery is headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand with a US office in San Diego, CA, USA and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: ARX). The company, originally known as Mesynthes Limited, was founded in 2008 by Veterinarian Surgeon Dr Brian Ward (BVSc). The company develops and commercializes products based on its proprietary ovine forestomach matrix technology platform with products in wound healing (Endoform™ Natural, Endoform™ Antimicrobial and Symphony™) as well as plastics and reconstructive surgery (Myriad Matrix™, Myriad Forme™, Myriad Morcells™, Ovitex® PRS) and repair of hernia (Ovitex® and Myriad Ultra™).

Aroa Biosurgery
Company typePublic
Founded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
FounderBrian Ward
Headquarters,
New Zealand
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Jim McLean (Chairman), Brian Ward (CEO)
ProductsMedical and surgical products
Number of employees
>270
Websitearoa.com

Technology

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Aroa Biosurgery develops medical devices using its proprietary ovine forestomach matrix (OFM) technology. OFM is a layer of decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterial isolated from the propria submucosa of the rumen of sheep.[1][2] OFM is used in tissue engineering and as a tissue scaffold for wound healing and surgical applications.

History

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  • 2008 – Mesynthes Limited (Wellington, New Zealand) was founded by Brian Ward.[3][4]
  • 2008 – First patent of ovine forestomach matrix and reinforced biologics.[5]
  • 2009 – Endoform Natural™ cleared by the US FDA for treatment of acute and chronic wounds.[6]
  • 2010 – OFM first described in the scientific literature.[7][8]
  • 2010 – OFM reinforced biologics first described in scientific literature.[9]
  • 2011 – Partnership with Hollister Wound Care (Libertyville, IL) to launch and commercialize Endoform Natural™.[10][11]
  • 2012 – Partnership with Tela Bio Inc. to commercialize reinforced biologics.[12][13]
  • 2013 – OFM reinforced biologics (Ovitex®) cleared by US FDA for hernia repair.[14]
  • 2014 – Corporate headquarters relocated from Wellington New Zealand to Auckland New Zealand.[15][16]
  • 2015 – Company rebrands to Aroa Biosurgery Limited.[17]
  • 2016 – Ovitex® launched in USA in partnership with Tela Bio Inc (Malvern, PA).[18][19]
  • 2017 – Endoform Antimicrobial™ cleared by the US FDA.[20]
  • 2017 – Myriad Matrix™ cleared by the US FDA.[21]
  • 2018 – Endoform Antimicrobial™ launched in USA.[22]
  • 2018 – Aroa Biosurgery establishes a joint venture with Hydrofera LLC (Manchester, CT) to sell products for wound care and plastics and reconstructive surgery.[23][24]
  • 2018 – Aroa Biosurgery opens first US office (San Diego, California).[25]
  • 2019 – Myriad Matrix™ launched in USA for plastic and reconstructive surgery.[26]
  • 2020 – Symphony™ cleared by US FDA.[27]
  • 2020 – Aroa Biosurgery lists on the Australian Securities Exchange.[28][29]
  • 2021 – Joint venture with Hydrofera LLC dissolved and Aroa's direct sales expanded.[30]
  • 2021 – Myriad Morcells™ cleared by US FDA.[31]
  • 2021 – Myriad Morcells™ launched in USA for plastic and reconstructive surgery.[32][33]
  • 2022 – First scientific publication describing novel dead-space management negative pressure system.[34]
  • 2023 – Symphony™ launched in USA for advanced wound care.

Awards

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  • 2009 – Bayer Innovators Award; awarded by Bayer New Zealand.[35]
  • 2011 – Supreme Award, Endoform by Mesynthes; awarded by Wellington Gold Awards.[36]
  • 2014 – Fastest Growing Manufacturer; awarded by Deloitte Fast 50.[37]
  • 2015 – New Zealand's Bioscience Company of the Year; awarded by NZBio.[38]
  • 2022 – Most Innovative Dressing or Device, Gold Award; awarded by Journal of Wound Care.[39]

References

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  1. ^ 'Sounds Like Science Fiction': Aroa Biosurgery uses sheep to help humans heal'. 2022. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/127888238/sounds-like-science-fiction-aroa-biosurgery-uses-sheep-to-help-humans-heal
  2. ^ Lun, S., et al., A functional extracellular matrix biomaterial derived from ovine forestomach. Biomaterials, 2010. 31(16): p. 4517-29.
  3. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  4. ^ Clever Kiwi Companies Out to Prove that Technology can Save Money as well as Many Peoples Lives. 2010. Retrieved 25 Sep 2023. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/clever-kiwi-companies-out-to-prove-that-technology-can-save-money-as-well-as-many-peoples-lives/TVVQSE7OCZOPTRM3EJ2U3FCYXY/
  5. ^ Ward, B.R., K.D. Johnson, and B.C.H. May, Tissue scaffolds derived from forestomach extracellular matrix, USPTO, Editor. 2008, Mesynthes Ltd.: US.
  6. ^ Premarket notification, 510(k) : K092096. 2010; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K092096.
  7. ^ Lun, S., et al., A functional extracellular matrix biomaterial derived from ovine forestomach. Biomaterials, 2010. 31(16): p. 4517-29.
  8. ^ Wound Care Firm Targets US Market. 2010. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/wound-care-firm-targets-us-market/VYPLAUZTPQXVU42X3DMZ4ZSOEY/
  9. ^ Floden, E.W., et al., Biophysical characterization of ovine forestomach extracellular matrix biomaterials. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater, 2011. 96(1): p. 67-75.
  10. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  11. ^ High Tech Wound Care Company Aroa Releases First Product in Own Backyard. 2020. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/high-tech-wound-care-company-aroa-releases-first-product-in-own-backyard/JDMEGIPXYMBLIVGHVBNAROMRTU/
  12. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  13. ^ Done Deal: Recent Fundings Secured, Contracts inked and deals done, all for the tl;dr crowd. 2018. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://idealog.co.nz/venture/2018/04/done-deal-recent-fundings-secured-contracts-inked-and-deals-done-all-tldr-crowd
  14. ^ Premarket notification, 510(k) : K130547. 2013; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K130547.
  15. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  16. ^ Award Winner Closing Wellington Plant. 2013. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/9264202/Award-winner-closing-Wellington-plant
  17. ^ Aroa Biosurgery Poised for Global Growth. 2015 16 March 2023; Available from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150622005454/en/Aroa-Biosurgery-Poised-for-Global-Growth
  18. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  19. ^ Tela Bio Wins FDA Nod for Ovitex Hernia Repair Bioscaffold. 2016. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.massdevice.com/tela-bio-wins-fda-nod-ovitex-hernia-repair-bioscaffold/
  20. ^ Krause, D. Premarket notification, 510(k) : K172318. 2017 13 Mar 2023; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/K172318.pdf.
  21. ^ Krause, D. Premarket notification, 510(k) : K153632. 2016; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf15/K153632.pdf.
  22. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  23. ^ Aroa Biosurgery and Hydrofera team up in US. 2018 13 Mar 2023; Available from: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1805/S00105/aroa-biosurgery-and-hydrofera-team-up-in-us.htm.
  24. ^ High Tech Wound Care Company Aroa Releases First Product in Own Backyard. 2020. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/high-tech-wound-care-company-aroa-releases-first-product-in-own-backyard/JDMEGIPXYMBLIVGHVBNAROMRTU/
  25. ^ Aroa Biosurgery appoints new vice-president. 2019 16 March 2023; Available from: https://www.nbr.co.nz/comings-and-goings/aroa-biosurgery-appoints-new-vice-president/.
  26. ^ Aroa Initial Public Offering Prospectus. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/ARX/02257873.pdf.
  27. ^ Premarket notification, 510(k) : K200413. 2020; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpmn/pmn.cfm?ID=K200413.
  28. ^ Aroa Biosurgery Commences Trading on the ASX. 2020 16 March 2023; Available from: https://www.biospace.com/article/releases/aroa-biosurgery-commences-trading-on-the-asx/.
  29. ^ Aroa Shares Double on ASX Debut. 2020. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/aroa-shares-double-on-asx-debut/4GQMWSTZIPGCLER37EVRHHOS5M/
  30. ^ Aroa Biosurgery to further expand fully dedicated sales team for key U.S. market. 2021 13 March 2023; Available from: https://aroa.com/aroa-biosurgery-to-further-expand-fully-dedicated-sales-team-for-key-u-s-market/.
  31. ^ Liu, L. Premarket notification, 510(k) : K200502. 2021; Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf20/K200502.pdf.
  32. ^ Aroa Biosurgery Launches New Product, Myriad Morcells™ - Offering Highly Conformable Tissue Regeneration in Wound Beds - Following Recent FDA Clearance. 2021 16 March 2023; Available from: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210428005356/en/Aroa-Biosurgery-Launches-New-Product-Myriad-Morcells%E2%84%A2---Offering-Highly-Conformable-Tissue-Regeneration-in-Wound-Beds---Following-Recent-FDA-Clearance.
  33. ^ New Zealand's Aroa Biosurgery Takes Wound Technology to the World. 2021. [Retrieved 25 Sep 2023]. Available from: https://www.asx.com.au/blog/listed-at-asx/new-zealands-aroa-biosurgery-takes-wound-technology-to-the-world
  34. ^ Mason, I.T.T., et al., Evaluation of Tissue Apposition and Seroma Prevention in an Ovine Model of Surgical Dead Space using a Novel ‘Air-Purged Vacuum Closure’ System. ePlasty, 2022. 2022(22): p. e46.
  35. ^ Bayer Honours New Zealand’s Leading Innovators. 2009 13 March 2023; Available from: https://m.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0908/S00782/bayer-honours-new-zealands-leading-innovators.htm.
  36. ^ Rutherford, H. Mesynthes supreme winner at Wellington Gold Awards. 2011 13 March 2023; Available from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/5023299/Mesynthes-supreme-winner-at-Wellington-Gold-Awards.
  37. ^ Listing likely for tissue repair company. 2014 13 March 2023; Available from: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10635849/Listing-likely-for-tissue-repair-company.
  38. ^ NZ bioscience celebrates its innovators. 2015 24 September 2015 [cited 2023 13 March 2023]; Available from: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1509/S00081/nz-bioscience-celebrates-its-innovators.htm.
  39. ^ Stadler, L. WUWHS – A Hybrid Wound Care Event with a Local Touch in Abu Dhabi. 2022 13 March 2023; Available from: https://blog.smarttrak.com/wuwhs-a-hybrid-event-with-a-local-touch.