Driving innovation in advanced wound care with Frontier Medical Group
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership accelerating world-first wound care technology
Frontier Therapeutics Ltd (FTL) is a leading developer of pressure ulcer management solutions which contribute significantly to the safety and well-being of patients and users. FTL is part of Frontier Medical Group, provider of a range of specialist medical devices to healthcare professionals in the UK and internationally.
The challenge
Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers place a heavy burden on the NHS and wider healthcare systems. Despite a global wound care market exceeding £24 billion annually, many products still lack robust clinical evidence or fail to address persistent patient needs. Frontier recognised a clear opportunity to combine market insight, clinical expertise and cutting‑edge technology to create a new generation of clinically effective solutions.
FTL had a clear ambition to diversify its product range and develop innovative tools that actively manage wound infection and promote healing.
The approach
To meet this need, Frontier required access to advanced academic expertise – and a partnership structure that would embed lasting capability in the organisation. A two‑associate Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) was developed, with the University of Hull providing expertise in wound‑care and stakeholder engagement through the Wound Innovation Institute; the University of York providing world‑leading engineering and technological insight.
Together, the interdisciplinary KTP team is enabling Frontier to develop an innovative wound management medical device.
How the KTP is making a difference
The project is structured around complementary workstreams, each led by one of the two associates:
Understanding clinical and user needs
The Hull associate is engaging clinicians, patients and public groups to identify unmet needs and future commercial opportunities. This work is also embedding Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) capability within Frontier to support long‑term innovation.
Assessing technology and market landscape
The York associate is reviewing global evidence, patents and state of the art developments in wound management technology, ensuring Frontier’s product strategy is aligned with international innovation trends.
Designing the translational pathway
Hull’s expertise supports Frontier’s understanding of regulatory requirements, testing models, and pathways to clinical adoption - ensuring the technology is not only innovative, but also ready for real world use.
Developing the next generation wound management system
The associates are working together to:
- Define hardware and software specifications
- Design, simulate and build a prototype device
- Integrate innovative capability within the system
- Establish biological testing facilities within Frontier
- Validate performance and demonstrate biological efficacy.
An iterative testing approach will generate the evidence needed to move the device toward clinical translation and commercialisation.
Benefits
Through this unique, two associate KTP with the University of Hull and the University of York, Frontier is developing wound management medical devices that have the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients with hard to heal wounds.
This KTP strategically positions the innovation within existing NHS reimbursement pathways associated with recognised wound management therapies, greatly accelerating the potential route to market – something standalone medical devices have traditionally struggled to achieve.
This KTP is supporting Frontier to:
- Build in‑house expertise in wound care, engineering and pre‑clinical testing
- Develop a pioneering wound care device with the potential to transform practice
- Diversify their product portfolio and strengthen competitiveness in a £24 bn global market
- Create a new route into the advanced wound infection and healing market segment
- Embed new knowledge, skills and facilities that position the company for sustained innovation
Beyond business value, the work has the potential to deliver far reaching benefits to patients and clinicians by addressing a critical unmet need in the management of chronic wounds – an area costing the NHS billions annually.
Looking ahead
As the KTP progresses toward prototype integration, biological validation and eventual regulatory preparation, Frontier Medical Group is firmly positioning itself at the forefront of next generation wound care innovation.
Supported by the expertise of the Universities of Hull and York, the company is building the foundations for global impact – empowering better healing, reducing healthcare burden and redefining standards within the wound care industry.
Frontier Medical Group said: "We are excited about this collaboration and the opportunity it creates. Working alongside the Universities of Hull and York brings together shared curiosity, deep expertise and a real commitment to improving patient care."
This partnership matters to Frontier not just because of the technology it enables, but because it allows the team to learn, grow and build something meaningful together that could make a real difference for people living with hard to heal wounds.Frontier Medical Group
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