When tragedy struck in Crans-Montana in Switzerland, the scale of the disaster became clear within hours. A devastating fire at Le Constellation left over hundred people injured, many with severe burns, and claimed 41 young lives. Twenty‑two of the most critically injured patients were rushed to CHUV Hospital in Lausanne, where Dr. Anthony De Buys Roessingh and Dr. Karim Al Dourobi led an extraordinary emergency response under unimaginable pressure.
As the need for advanced burn‑care materials surged, Kerecis acted without hesitation.
A Rapid Mobilization of Care
The Forward deployed inventory for burn products already in Switzerland was immediately depleted when the severity of the tragedy became clear. It was therefore time for all heads and hands on deck at the Kerecis Manufacturing facility in Ísafjörður Iceland to produce more burn products.
Within minutes of receiving the call, Kerecis teams in Ísafjörður and Reykjavík began preparing every available unit of our burn‑care products. Staff from across departments—production, logistics, quality, packaging and clinical support all focused on one single task get life‑saving materials to Switzerland as fast as humanly possible.
Fertram Sigurjonsson the Kerecis founder and Coloplast EVP, called the Icelandic Coast Guard and asked for assistance in this dire situation. In a powerful display of solidarity, the Coast Guard graciously transported the entire Kerecis inventory of burn products from Ísafjörður to England for sterilization from where it was then flown directly to Switzerland—an urgent mission that made headlines across Europe.
This was not just a logistical effort. It was a human one.
Received With Relief and Gratitude
When the products arrived at CHUV, the medical teams welcomed them with deep appreciation. Facing a sudden influx of severely burned patients—many of them young—the doctors needed every tool available. The arrival of Kerecis’ fish‑skin grafts provided immediate support in stabilizing wounds and giving patients a better chance at recovery.
Support didn’t only come in the form of urgently delivered products. Andrea Plaen, the local Kerecis representative working closely with Dr. De Buys Roessingh and Dr. Al Dourobi, was by their side from the first moments of the crisis. She ensured the clinical teams had everything they needed — guidance, coordination, and immediate access to resources — so they could focus entirely on treating the influx of severely injured patients. Her presence on the ground was a vital extension of the Kerecis commitment to patient care.
These doctors shared how meaningful it was to receive high-quality biological materials so quickly, at a moment when time was the most precious resource.
A Moment That Defines Us
For us, this response was more than a duty. It was a reminder of why we do what we do.
In moments of crisis, the impact of our work becomes unmistakably real. Every person who helped— working overtime in the manufacturing, packaging, coordinating transport, or supporting clinicians—played a role in caring for patients who desperately needed it.
This tragedy showed the world the importance of preparedness, compassion, and innovation in healthcare. It also showed our own team the profound value of their daily work.
Standing With Patients, Always
Kerecis remains committed to supporting clinicians and patients wherever the need arises. Our mission has always been to help people heal, and in moments like this, that mission becomes deeply personal.
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From the town of Ísafjörður in northwest Iceland, Kerecis develops, manufactures, and distributes patented fish-skin medical devices that support soft tissue regeneration in the body, with regulatory clearance in the United States, Europe, and beyond.
