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VET

Kerecis VET

Kerecis VET manages damaged tissue such as partial and full thickness wounds, trauma wounds and burn wounds in small and large animals including mammals and exotic species
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Kerecis VET is an intact fish skin that has been successfully used to support tissue regeneration and repair in various animal species. Kerecis fish skin products are FDA cleared for diverse clinical applications. Our proprietary manufacturing method, which involves minimal processing, allows the fish skin to preserve its natural qualities, including its three-dimensional structure, mechanical properties, molecular organization, and composition. [2][3]

When grafted onto damaged tissue, such as a burn or wound, the fish skin recruits the body’s own cells, supporting the ability to regenerate. [1]

The superior clinical and economic performance of Kerecis fish skin has been demonstrated in multiple human blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trials[3,4,5] and numerous other clinical studies.[6-14]

Kerecis VET Benefits

Kerecis is pioneering the use of fish skin to revolutionize wound care and:

Speeds wound healing and provides intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties[17]

There is no known risk of autoimmune reactivity, unlike in mammalian grafts[17]

Does not require special training, instruments, or bandage materials[17]

Preserves the structure and porosity of the fish skin graft [19], ideal for cellular ingrowth[14][19]

Covered by some veterinary medical insurance

Adheres to wounds in a variety of shapes and sizes, including mobile joints

Resists shearing forces, allowing early physiotherapy[14]

Supports the restoration of the skin’s pigmentation, while minimizing scarring [7][14][20-23]

Intended Use

Kerecis® VET is indicated for the management of wounds including:

  • Partial and full-thickness wounds
  • Traumatic wounds (abrasions, lacerations, skin tears)
  • Superficial and partial thickness burns
Instructions for Use
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Kerecis Mechanism of Action

Kerecis patented fish skin is only gently processed, preserving its homologous structure to human skin. This product has had its cells removed and a native structure largely unaffected by processing, both traits recognized as optimal for a tissue replacement product.

Kerecis Mechanism of Action

Key factors for an optimal tissue replacement product are recognized to be a product that has had its cells removed, and a native structure that is not affected or altered by the treatment process, thereby retaining its overall lipid content, ECM biochemical composition, structure, and complexity.
Intact molecular organization
Fish skin is homologous to human skin.
Natural Mechanical Properties
Naturally strong, handles like skin, and easy
to suture or staple.
Preserved Molecular Content
Chemical complexity of the fish skin supports cell ingrowth and
vascularization.

Three Dimentional Structure

Intact structure provides a framework to support
tissue regeneration.

Intact Molecular Organization

Fish skin is homologous to human skin.

Natural Mechanical Properties

Naturally strong, handles like skin, and easy
to suture or staple.

Preserved Molecular Content

Chemical complexity of the fish skin supports cell ingrowth and
vascularization.

All Vertebrates Have Similar Skin Structure

Fish skin
Human Skin
Kerecis VET

Solid

The intact fish-skin graft in various sizes.

Description & Sizing
SKU
Coverage
3x3.5 cm
80200S01B0D
10.5 cm²
3x7 cm
80200S02B0D
21 cm²
7x7 cm
80200S04B0D
49 cm²
7x10 cm
80200S03B0D
70 cm²
7x20 cm
80200S21B0D
140 cm²
Kerecis VET

Micro

Micro is a unique configuration of the intact fish skin graft. It is fragmented into smaller units, allowing it to fill uneven and irregular wound spaces. The product offers excellent ease of use and application handling.

Description & Sizing
SKU
Coverage
19 cm²
80200P02D0D
19 cm²
38 cm²
80200P04D0D
38 cm²
114 cm²
80200P32D0D
114 cm²
Micro
Kerecis VET

Meshed 2:1

2:1 pre-meshed intact fish-skin graft designed to expand and cover larger wounds. Provides a viable clinical and economic solution for large wounds.

Description & Sizing
SKU
Coverage
7x20 cm
80200N21B0D
Up to 252 cm²

Important Information

This website and its content is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Products, services, information, and other content provided on this website, including information provided directly or through links to third-party websites, are for informational purposes only. Information on this website should not be considered a substitute for professional advice from a healthcare provider. Always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options.

Products and their variations may not be available in all countries and could be known under different trade names. Products, product names, indications, and claims vary by jurisdiction. Always verify with your local healthcare professional and consult the printed package information before use. Information on this website may not be current and might not reflect the latest product labeling – please refer to latest IFU’s on the website. For questions about product availability, please contact your Kerecis representative or use the contact form on our website.

Products are derived from fish sources and should not be used in patients with a known allergy to fish or sensitivity to fish products. Note that fish allergy is distinct from shellfish allergy. Do not apply fish skin products over infected or deteriorating wounds until the underlying cause has been resolved.

SurgiClose Silicone and Shield products contain silicone and are not suitable for patients with silicone sensitivity.
SurgiBind is not indicated for procedures requiring load-bearing support, such as hernia repair, for intraperitoneal organ contact, or where a bridging effect is needed.
SurgiBind Tendon Protect is not indicated to replace or repair the damaged tendon or to reinforce the strength of any tendon repair.
Always follow the product’s labeling for indications and contraindications.

A surgeon must always rely on their professional clinical judgment when deciding whether to use a specific product for a patient. Kerecis does not dispense medical advice and strongly recommends that surgeons be adequately trained in the use of its products before employing them in surgical procedures. The information provided on this website is intended to demonstrate the product offerings and should not replace the package insert, product label, or instructions for use. For regulatory and medical practice reasons, product availability may vary by market. Contact your Kerecis representative for further clarification.

  • For single patient use only; do not reuse, reprocess, or re-sterilize.
  • Discard any unused portions of the product.
  • Sterile only if the package is unopened and undamaged.
  • Do not use the product if the package seal has been broken, unintentionally opened, or if handling has caused damage or contamination.
  • Do not use after the expiration date printed on the product label or packaging.
  • Remove all non-viable and necrotic tissue prior to application of the product.
  • Remove exudate and control bleeding prior to product application.
  • Do not use in patients with known fish allergies.
  • The product is not designed, sold, or intended for use except as indicated.
  • No clinical trials have been conducted in pediatric, pregnant, or breastfeeding populations.

1

Magnusson, S., et al. Decellularized fish skin: characteristics that support tissue repair. Laeknabladid. 101, 567–573 (2015).

2

Rakers, S., et al. ‘Fish matters’: the relevance of fish skin biology to investigative dermatology. Exp Dermatol. 19, 313–324 (2010).

3

Baldursson, B. T., et al. Healing rate and autoimmune safety of fullthickness wounds treated with fish skin acellular dermal matrix versus porcine small-intestine submucosa: a noninferiority study. Int J Low Extrem. Wounds. 14, (2015).

4

Kirsner, R. S., et al. Fish skin grafts compared to human amnion/chorion membrane allografts: A double-blind, prospective, randomized clinical trial of acute wound healing. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 28(1), 75-80 (2020).

5

Lullove, E. J., et al. A multicenter, blinded, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effect of Omega-3–rich fish skin in the treatment of chronic, nonresponsive diabetic foot ulcers. Wounds (2021).

6

Winters, C., et al. Cost Effectiveness of Fish Skin Grafts Versus Standard of Care on Wound Healing of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study. Wounds. 32(10):283-290.(2020).

7

Stone, II, R., et al. Accelerated Wound Closure of Deep Partial Thickness Burns with Acellular Fish Skin Graft. Int J Mol Sci. 22(4):1590 (2021).

8

Yang, C.K., et al. A Prospective, Postmarket, Compassionate Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Acellular Fishskin Graft Which Contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids for the Closure of Hard-toheal Lower Extremity Chronic Ulcers. Wounds. 28(4):112-8 (2016).

9

Trinh, T. T., et al. Marine Omega3 Wound Matrix for the Treatment of Complicated Wounds. Phlebologie. 45, 93–98 (2016).

10

Woodrow, T., et al.Treatment of diabetic foot wounds with acellular fish skin graft rich in omega-3: a prospective evaluation. J Wound Care. 28, 76–80 (2019).

11

Sitje, T. S., et al. A. Clinical innovation: fish-derived wound product for cutaneous wounds. Wounds Int. 2018 9, 44–50 (2018).

12

Patel, M. & Lantis II, J. C. Fish skin  cellular dermal matrix: potential in the treatment of chronic wounds. Chronic Wound Care Manag Res. 6, 59–70 (2019).

13

Sibbald, R., et al. Special considerations in wound bed preparation 2011: An update. Adv Skin Wound Care. 24(9):415-36 (2011).

14

Wallner, C., et al. The Use of Intact Fish Skin as a Novel Treatment Method for Deep Dermal Burns Following Enzymatic Debridement: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. Euro Burn J. 3(1):43-55 (2022).

15

Magnusson S, et. al. Regenerative and Antibacterial Properties of Acellular Fish Skin Grafts and Human Amnion/ Chorion Membrane: Implications for Tissue Preservation in Combat Casualty Care, Military Medicine, Volume 182.1, March 2017

16

Andrews JW, Adams MJ, Montenegro-Johnson TD. A universal scaling law of mammalian touch. Sci Adv. 2020 Oct 9;6(41):eabb6912. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abb6912. PMID: 33036967; PMCID: PMC7546702.

17

Mauer, E. et al. (2022). Acellular fish skin grafts for the management of wounds in dogs and cats: 17 cases (2019-2021). American Journal of Veterinary Research, 83(2), 188-192. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.21.09.0140

18

Yoon J, Yoon D, Lee H, Lee J, Jo S, Kym D, Yim H, Hur J, Chun W, Kim G, Cho YS. Wound healing ability of acellular fish skin and bovine collagen grafts for split-thickness donor sites in burn patients: Characterization of acellular grafts and clinical application. Int J Biol Macromol. 2022 Apr 30;205:452-461. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.02.055. Epub 2022 Feb 14. PMID: 35176324

19

Magnusson, S. et al. Regenerative and Antibacterial Properties of Acellular Fish Skin Grafts and Human Amnion Chorion Membrane: Implications for Tissue Preservation in Combat Casualty Care. Mil. Med. 182, 383–388 (2017).

20

Alam, K. & Jeffery, S. L. A. Acellular Fish Skin Grafts for Management of Split Thickness Donor Sites and Partial Thickness Burns: A Case Series. Mil Med. 184(Suppl 1):16-20 (2019).

21

Shupp, J. W. et al. Fish Skin Compared to Cadaver Skin as a Temporary Covering for Full Thickness Burns: An Early Feasibility Trial. Poster presented at: AMUS 2020 Annual Meeting (2020).

22

Stone, R. 2nd, et al. Omega-3 Rich Fish Skin Grafts Reduce Donor Skin Requirements for Full Thickness Burns. J. Burn Care Res. 39, S234–S235 (2018).

23

Wang, Y. et al. Burn injury: challenges and advances in burn wound healing, infection, pain and scarring. Advanced drug delivery reviews, 123, 3-17 (2018).

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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.