Greifswald (dpa/mv) - The Greifswald-based Neoplas Med GmbH has won a large Japanese industrial company as a partner for its work with cold plasma to treat wounds. The NGK Spark Plug group, which is primarily known as a spark plug producer, will invest money from a 100 million euro fund, both companies announced in a joint statement on Monday. The aim of the strategic partnership is the further development of the cold plasma application and the opening up of new markets, for example in the USA or Japan.
According to Neoplas Med, it is a leader in the use of cold plasma to heal wounds using a kind of pen - the so-called cold plasma jet method. Plasma - a type of electrically charged gas - is applied to wounds as a non-contact jet. Here it should stimulate cells to grow again and wounds to close and kill germs and pathogens. According to the company, the advantages are easier treatment of hard-to-reach areas, cost savings and tolerability. The procedure has already been used more than a quarter of a million times.
The procedure is primarily aimed at treating chronic, non-healing wounds. According to the information, more than 50 million people are affected worldwide. It would cost $100 billion to treat. For example, diabetics have more chronic wounds.
According to the announcement, NGK has more than 16,000 employees worldwide and is best known as a manufacturer of spark plugs for combustion engines. In the course of the trend towards electric vehicles, the company is opening up new business areas such as medical technology.
Jochen Schulte (SPD), State Secretary in the Schwerin Ministry of Economic Affairs, praised Neoplas Med as "an excellent example of innovative cutting-edge technology made in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania" and welcomed the Japanese investment. "In the end, the decisive factor is that internationally competitive products are created that secure and create well-paid jobs in Western Pomerania."
