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collagen (Gelfix / Biopad / Condress)

✓ Approved

Merck & Co. · therapeutic agent

What is collagen?

collagen is a therapeutic agent developed by Merck & Co.. It is approved for therapeutic indications via topical.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesGelfix, Biopad, Condress
CompanyMerck & Co.
RouteTopical
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Merck & Co.

Therapeutic Indications

collagen is developed for 4 unique indications across 3 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
General disorders and administration site conditionsImpaired healing✓ Approved
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDiabetic foot✓ Approved
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDecubitus ulcer✓ Approved
Vascular disordersPeripheral venous disease✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedSmall (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)2026-10-22

Fungal-Derived Chitosan-Based Bioinks Enable Multifunctional Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering via Enhanced Bioactivity.

Kim Joonyoung J, Heo GaEun G, Chae SooJung S, Hwangbo Hanjun H et al.

Engineering bioinks that combine mechanical robustness with microenvironmental regulation remains a challenge in musculoskeletal tissue engineering. Collagen-based bioinks provide intrinsic bioactivity but have limited structural stability and antibacterial and redox-regulatory functions. Crustacean-derived chitosan (C-CS) can address these limitations, but concerns regarding allergenicity and inconsistent immunomodulation remain. Here, we introduce mushroom-derived chitosan (M-CS), a fungal-derived polysaccharide with distinct compositional and physicochemical characteristics, as a multifunctional component enabling simultaneous physicochemical reinforcement and bioactive regulation. Under physiologically relevant conditions, M-CS exhibits an atypical thermorheological response that enables controlled printing while providing antibacterial and ROS-modulating properties. Incorporating M-CS into a collagen matrix produced composite bioinks (collagen 3 wt%, M-CS 3 wt%, hydroxyapatite 20 wt%) that combine structural reinforcement with bioactive functionality for bone tissue engineering. Particularly, the unique compositional and physicochemical features of M-CS, including its naturally associated β-glucan structures, collectively contribute to enhanced cell-matrix interactions and redox regulation, supporting enhanced osteogenic and angiogenic responses compared to collagen/C-CS/HA and collagen/HA controls. Reduced intracellular ROS levels further establish a pro-regenerative niche via redox-sensitive signaling. Moreover, M-CS/collagen constructs promote robust tenogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells, demonstrating dual functionality for musculoskeletal interface regeneration.

PMID 42902860
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PubMedBioconjugate chemistry2026-10-22

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Multiscale Design of Protein-Based Materials.

Zhou Xinzhi X, Zhao Chen C, Zhang Qiang Q, Yao Yuan Y

Protein filaments, including silk, collagen, and amyloids, are natural building blocks whose hierarchical self-assembly produces adaptive mechanics and diverse functions. Conventional protein engineering has had limited success in resolving sequence-structure-function relationships across length scales. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) now provide a framework for physics-informed multiscale design, from molecular motifs to functional macroscopic architectures. Machine-learning models can encode biophysical principles and guide the generation of protein-based materials. When combined with high-throughput experimentation, generative AI can integrate sequence design, structure prediction, and functional validation into closed-loop workflows. These workflows can accelerate the development of programmable biomaterials. This review summarizes AI-driven advances in protein-based materials and emerging links with autonomous robotics.

PMID 42902938
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PubMedPhotochemistry and photobiology2026-10-22

Combined effects of photobiomodulation and platelet-rich plasma on healing of acute Achilles tendon injuries in rats.

Wei Hao H, Liu Hongjun H, Yin Jing J, Hu Yuping Y et al.

Tendon injuries are challenging to treat due to limited intrinsic healing, and although photobiomodulation (PBM) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) show therapeutic potential, their combined effects remain unclear. This study evaluated the individual and combined efficacy of PBM and PRP on Achilles tendon repair in rats. A total of 144 rats were assigned to six groups and treated with PBM, PRP, or combined PBM + PRP therapy; tissues were collected at 1 and 8 weeks for biochemical and histological assessment. Both PBM and PRP reduced IL-1β and TNF-α levels and improved collagen organization, while the combined therapy produced the most pronounced anti-inflammatory response and structural recovery. Notably, PBM + PRP significantly enhanced and prolonged PDGF-BB expression compared with either treatment alone. These findings demonstrate that PBM and PRP each promote tendon healing, but their combination yields superior therapeutic benefits through amplified modulation of inflammatory and regenerative pathways, highlighting their potential as an improved therapeutic strategy.

PMID 42902805
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PubMedJournal of molecular histology2026-10-21

Effects of topical vildagliptin versus triamcinolone acetonide on experimentally induced hypertrophic scars in a rabbit model.

Nasser Zaynab Ali ZA, Jaafar Farrah Rasool FR

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical vildagliptin on experimentally induced hypertrophic scars (HTSs) in a rabbit model. A total of 40 healthy male albino rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 8): healthy control (CTRL), untreated induced HTS model (HTS model), vehicle-received (VEH), 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide-treated (TAC), and 3% vildagliptin-treated (VIL). On day 0, four full-thickness wounds extending to the cartilage were created on the ventral surface of each rabbit ear using an 8-mm biopsy punch. On day 30, topical treatment was initiated on the newly formed scars and continued twice daily for 21 days. Samples were collected on day 51 post-wounding. Outcome measures included molecular quantification of collagen type 1 (Col I), collagen type 3 (Col III), transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), histopathological examination, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunoreactivity. Vildagliptin significantly reduced Col I, Col III, TGF-β1, and IL-6 compared with the HTS model group (p < 0.001). Histopathological analysis revealed a marked improvement in scar architecture, as evidenced by lower histopathological scores and a reduced scar elevation index. Masson's trichrome (MT) staining demonstrated a significant reduction in collagen deposition, accompanied by partial restoration of normal collagen fiber organization. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed no significant change in α-SMA immunoreactivity. This more likely reflects a potential incomplete suppression of myofibroblasts. Overall, these findings suggest that topical vildagliptin may represent a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of HTSs.

PMID 42902087
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PubMedAsian journal of andrology2026-10-21

Dysregulation of the miR-29c-3p/collagen axis induces spermatogenic failure in heat stress and non-obstructive azoospermia.

Zhang Shou-Bo SB, Zhou Meng-Ke MK, Zhao Yuan-Shu YS, Zhan Yi-Yuan YY et al.

Rising global temperatures have intensified male infertility linked to testicular heat stress. While microRNAs play pivotal roles in spermatogenesis, the reason for aberrant microRNA expression following heat stress-induced spermatogenic disorders remains largely unclear. We established a murine heat stress model and performed small RNA sequencing. Candidate microRNAs were obtained via intersection with additional spermatogenic arrest and Sertoli cell-only syndrome datasets. The proliferation of germ cells was assessed by cholecystokinin-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays. Bioinformatic analysis was applied to predict downstream miRNA targets, and enrichment analysis was performed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence assays were utilized to determine the expression of miRNAs and their targets in Sertoli cell-only syndrome models and clinical testicular samples. In total, testicular heat stress resulted in 102 upregulated and 114 downregulated miRNAs. Four candidate microRNAs (miR-378a-3p, miR-29c-3p, let-7a-5p, and miR-9-5p) were screened for further investigation. Functional assays demonstrated that elevated expression of miR-378a-3p, miR-29c-3p, or silencing of miR-9-5p, notably inhibited the proliferation ability of spermatogonia (GC-1 cells). Common targets of these microRNAs were highly enriched in collagen-related pathways, predominantly through the inhibition of miR-29c-3p-targeted collagen type I alpha 1 and type III alpha 1 chain 1. Compared with normal tissue samples, tissue samples from Sertoli cell-only syndrome model mice and from those with spermatogenic disorders also exhibited high miR-29c-3p expression levels. In summary, our study identified microRNA expression patterns during testicular heat stress and preliminarily investigated the roles of specific microRNAs. miR-29c-3p and the collagen synthesis pathway could be utilized as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for heat-induced spermatogenic disorders.

PMID 42902530
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PubMedJournal of translational medicine2026-10-21

P4HA1⁺ collagen-modifying fibroblasts are associated with pro-tumor niches and therapeutic vulnerabilities in colorectal cancer.

Gui Kai K, Chen Yan Y, Du Qinqin Q, Lv Ke K et al.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major stromal component of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and actively participate in tumor progression. Although CAF heterogeneity in colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly recognized, how individual CAF subpopulations simultaneously coordinate extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, angiogenesis, and immune suppression within spatially organized niches remains poorly understood. CAF heterogeneity was systematically analyzed by integrating single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and bulk transcriptomic data. By combining cell clustering, pseudotime analysis, transcriptional regulatory network inference, spatial deconvolution, and ligand-receptor interaction analysis, we revealed the spatial distribution and cellular communication characteristics of CAF subpopulations. At the same time, machine learning-based prognostic models and transcriptional perturbation analysis were used to evaluate the clinical significance and potential therapeutic value of CAF-related transcriptional programs. We identified a prolyl 4-hydroxylase subunit alpha 1 (P4HA1)-positive collagen-modifying CAF subpopulation (P4HA1⁺ CAFs) that was enriched in tumor tissue and exhibited collagen remodeling characteristics. This subpopulation preferentially localized at the tumor-stroma interface, co-localizing with pro-angiogenic endothelial cells, immunosuppressive macrophages, and malignant epithelial cells to form a spatially organized niche with concurrent ECM remodeling, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. P4HA1⁺ CAFs were predicted to engage distinct ligand-receptor axes, including WNT5A-MCAM with endothelial cells, MDK-LRP1 with macrophages, and MDK-NCL with malignant epithelial cells. The MDK-NCL axis was associated with increased RANBP1 expression and enhanced tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Machine learning analysis further identified P4HA1, TIMP1, ARL4C, and SFRP4 as stable core genes associated with poor prognosis. Drug perturbation analysis showed that 2-methoxyestradiol and its combination with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor JNJ-26,481,585 may partially reverse the malignant transcriptional program of P4HA1⁺ CAFs. This study characterizes a P4HA1⁺ collagen-modifying CAF subpopulation that resides within a spatially organized multicellular niche and engages distinct signaling axes to simultaneously promote angiogenesis, immune suppression, and tumor cell proliferation in CRC, highlighting its prognostic and potential therapeutic value.

PMID 42902379
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