Creating novel purification and biochemical characterization protocols for C. collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum, developing a new emergency medicine product, and formulating several novel therapies for chronic and acute wound treatment

The pharmaceutical industry not only includes infinite areas of specialization, but also consists of distinct areas that do not typically overlap. Biotechnology is the branch of medicinal research that bridges the gap between the fields within the pharmaceutical industry by being able to take on the challenges that require knowledge of a vast range of information. This practicum was organized to put the scientific knowledge and the interdisciplinary practices of biotechnology to use in a modern day, pharmaceutical company specializing in wound therapy and skincare: Smith & Nephew Biotherapeutics. Wound therapy has the widest range of application due to being one of the few fields that affects everyone, regardless of medical disposition. The specific goals of this practicum were: to develop novel purification and biochemical characterization protocols for C. collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum to replace current production methods of Santyl®, to develop a working prototype of a venom-based, hemostatic film, and perform reformulation, quality control, troubleshooting, and verification testing on samples of Regranex®, Iodosorb “Max”, and EU-Collagenase. Every goal presented was approached with the end results of saving Smith & Nephew costs, reducing bioburden of production, and creating more efficient protocols to bring Smith & Nephew into the modern age.