Winston-Salem, N.C., February 17, 2010 – KeraNetics LLC, a Wake Forest University Health Sciences spinout with proprietary technology for the manufacture and therapeutic application of keratin biomaterials, announced today that it has been awarded a SBIR Phase I grant from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. “KeraNetics™ is committed to commercializing keratin biomaterials for use in nerve and bone regeneration, hemostasis, resuscitation fluid, wound healing and cell culture applications” said Luke Burnett PhD, the Director of Product Development and Research at KeraNetics™ and the Principal Investigator for the project. “This grant will begin to look at new solutions for cranio-facial reconstruction that are needed for our nation’s warfighters.”

“Keratins are unique because they have broad biocompatibility and can be formulated into a wide variety of materials that can potentially be used to repair or replace tissues found in the face and jaw”. Dr. Burnett added that “our talented team of scientists and clinical collaborators at Wake Forest are grateful to the Department of Defense for the opportunity to work on translating this technology with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of Wounded Warriors.”