“We are developing a medical solution that mimics the ‘transpiration process’ in which plants absorb water through their roots and expel it through their leaves, using electrical stimulation to awaken the body’s natural healing cells.”
Han Hyung-seop, the CEO of Elecell, noted during a meeting at the Seoul Biohub in Hongneung, Seoul, on 2nd that “when a slight electric stimulus is applied to damaged cells, they transmit signals to induce natural healing, and we are developing a medical device utilizing this.” Elecell is a regenerative medicine startup founded last March by Dr. Han Hyung-seop of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Biomaterials Research Center.
Elecell's core technology consists of two main components. One is a moisture-based power generation technology that follows the principle of the transpiration process in which plants draw moisture from their roots to their leaves, and the other is a technology that eliminates damaging reactive oxygen species and induces cell proliferation through fine electric stimulation. Cells that receive electrical stimulation recover quickly, suppress inflammation, and regenerate tissues.
The foundational technology was born at the KIST Biomaterials Research Center in 2023. Initially, the power technology imitating the transpiration process was intended for use in wastewater purification facilities, but Han determined it would have higher applicability in the bio field. He founded the company for full-scale product development and clinical trials upon the suggestion of his colleagues.
Han stated, “This technology is not merely electrical stimulation but a method that assists the flow of biological currents inherent in our bodies,” adding that it is a concept of aiding the body’s natural healing mechanisms with electricity.
The first application of Elecell's fine electrical source technology is a medical device designed to treat chronic wounds caused by diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and burns. In particular, the company is focusing on diabetic foot ulcers, which have a high patient volume.
More than 15% of diabetes patients suffer from foot ulcers. A small wound can become fatal enough to potentially lead to amputation. When someone has diabetes, nerves are damaged, leading to decreased sensation. It’s easy to overlook a wound if it occurs. Additionally, diabetes patients have high blood sugar, meaning blood doesn't circulate well. Consequently, the cells that would normally heal wounds have difficulty moving.
Currently, wound dressings or ointments are used to treat diabetic foot ulcers, but they mainly focus on reducing infection, inflammation, and pain. The device that Elecell is developing is in the form of a standard patch that eliminates reactive oxygen species while simultaneously promoting the proliferation of healing cells. It also creates a moist environment, akin to commercially available hydrocolloid bandages, thereby preventing external infections as well as scarring.
Han remarked, “The main culprit of chronic wounds is reactive oxygen species that continually provoke inflammatory responses at the wound site,” stating that “when this patch is applied to the wound area, fine electricity flows out to stimulate surrounding cells and eliminate reactive oxygen species.”
Fine electric currents stimulate fibroblast proliferation, promoting the formation of new blood vessels at the wound site. Han stated, “A recovery response resulting in new tissue formation occurs through fine electric currents,” and noted, “In experiments with mice, we confirmed that wounds healed up to nine times faster than conventional treatment methods.”
Elecell plans to commercialize chronic wound treatment patches in collaboration with domestic pharmaceutical companies by 2027 and also develop them into cream formulations to enhance patient accessibility.
There are other areas utilizing Elecell's foundational technology, such as devices for preventing sarcopenia or muscle loss. Sarcopenia is noted as a major side effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) class obesity medications that have recently gained immense popularity, such as Wegovy and Manjaro.
Elecell has focused on sarcopenia in critically ill patients hospitalized in intensive care units. When muscle mass decreases, immunity weakens, leading to an increased risk of viral infections and falls. The metabolic regulation function of muscles also deteriorates, causing complications such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The risk of mortality increases as individuals age.
Elecell has developed a technology that provides optimal fine electrical stimulation to the muscle layer, helping to prevent muscle loss. It has already demonstrated the muscle loss prevention effect in animal tests.
When a person wears a cast, muscle loss occurs. In experiments, a cast was applied to rats for a certain period to induce sarcopenia. Other rats were also casted, but this time an optimized fine electrical stimulation material was added. The results showed that electrical stimulation prevented sarcopenia in the rats by over 80%.
Han noted, “This technology does not increase muscle mass but rather prevents it from decreasing,” and added, “Our goal is to verify whether similar effects occur in humans through clinical trials with researchers at Asan Medical Center starting in the second half of this year, and to commercialize it in the first half of next year.” The company is developing a cast-type medical device that can be worn on different body parts such as arms and legs.
Elecell will pursue a two-track strategy for its business. While preparing for the commercialization of chronic wound treatment patches and sarcopenia prevention casts, it is also challenging the cosmetics market to quickly launch products. The company plans to generate revenue with skin rejuvenation masks and biosimilar electrical stimulation-based skin rejuvenation and functional cosmetics.