Press Release

Hyaluronic Acid: from orthopaedics to urology, including cosmetic medicine, all the secrets of an ally for health and feeling good.

This natural molecule which is found in almost all the parts of the human body, including the eyes and the arteries, can assist wellbeing and health. Experts say that it is important to be able to have specific formulations, intended for various therapeutic applications, which can offer a personalized response to various problems. It is thanks to the support of IBSA group, a company specialising in the development and production of products containing hyaluronic acid, that there are now available highly purified preparations intended for various branches of medicine.

Milan, 16 May 2012. Here you have a splendid natural sponge, capable of absorbing and dealing with a large quantity of water. Hyaluronic acid behaves in the same way in the human body: it is able to bind water, helping to protect and hydrate tissues by keeping them elastic. But this is not sufficient. It acts as a natural lubricant for the joints, protects the organism from viruses and bacteria, constructing a sort of “filter” for preserving the skin from harmful elements, assists with healing and repairs the tissue by fighting inflammation at the same time. Unfortunately the availability of this substance in time and within the tissue tend to drop and become less elastic. Thenwe begin with the problems, such as ageing of the skin, with loss of plasticity as well as compactness and the appearance of wrinkles, joint pain (particularly in the knees), and urinary tract disorderswith increased frequency of cystitis. However the therapeutic role of this “sponge” almost everywhere in the body never decreases. In fact hyaluronic acid is used to produce artificial tears when treating dry eye syndrome, and plays a part in cataract surgery, helps to regenerate the membranes of a damaged eardrum, and can assist with repairing widespread injuries such as burns or skin ulcers because it encourages healing.

Excellence in production: The role of IBSA

IBSA Institut Biochimique SA, founded in 1945 in Lugano, is a pharmaceutical company which has developed a specific ability to prepare hyaluronic acid, developing innovative pharmaceutical forms capable of improving patient compliance and therapeutic results.

As stated by Dr. Giorgio Pisani: “Now we have over 60 exclusive patents in seven different areas of treatment, with a very high standard of quality. Every year our company produces 21 million pre-filled vials, 600 million soft gel capsules, 80 million films for oral use, and 320 million transdermic patches”.

IBSA hyaluronic acid is produced in a modern biotechnological unit at Altergon Italia by using a process requiring several phases which start with bacterial fermentation and go through intermediate stages of filtration and purification, to finally obtain a highly purified finishedproduct. Thanks to a production system that uses biofermentation, the hyaluronic acid produced by IBSA is not contaminated by products derived from animals, eliminating any possible allergic risk.

IBSA’s proposals for treatment areas

“At the moment we are able to offer a “tailor-made” proposalin the various areas in which treatment with hyaluronic acid is required” explainsDr Giuliana Villa – whose rationale is extensively supported and explained by well-known international Opinion Leaders in the different fields.

IBSA’s proposals for orthopaedics, rheumatology and sports medicine focuses on reintegration, by supplementing highly-purified intra-articular hyaluronic acid, the viscoelastic properties of synovial liquid, and as a consequence the functional equilibrium of the joint.

The intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid brings about a significant reduction in pain and consumption of analgesic/anti-inflammatory medicines and a significant improvement in joint mobility.

In dermatologyIBSA offers a line of products, available in various formulations, which allow the topical application of hyaluronic acid (e.g. in the case of a wound).

Cream or impregnated gauze, with a high content of hyaluronic acid, is indicated for the treatment of wounds with exudate, leg ulcers (including those of venous origin), bedsores and post-operative wounds.

The formulation withhyaluronic acid and silver sulfadiazine is indicated for the treatment of infected wounds and burns, in dermatological disease of bacterial origin or at risk of developing secondary infections.

In the dermocosmetic area the IBSA research laboratories have produced ground-breaking products, based on the “Hydrolift™ Action” system, which are innovative and exclusive therapeutic approaches aimed at the prevention and care of the physiological reduction of hyaluronic acid in the skin, encouraging its function, restoring hydration, elasticity and tone: an approach which amply supports the concept of "curing wrinkles" compared with the typically cosmetic "wrinkle filling" concept.

“Hydrolift™ Action” is an expression of the synergic action of the bio-regenerative and mechanical lifting of skin depression by HA, thanks to the combined use of hyaluronic acid, both natural and modified.

The primary role of this complementary action is fundamentally that of “wrinkle care” and is carried out by natural hyaluronic acid, which guarantees, in addition to efficacy and natural results, a high safety profile for both the patient and the doctor.

IBSA offers a complete anti-ageing line which is very effective thanks to combined and customised protocols allowing a combination of home treatments, from the cream and pearls preparation, to intradermic medical treatment, extending and magnifying the results. The range is based on natural hyaluronic acid associated with dermo-nutritive elements.

The filler offered by IBSA has been researched and offers a natural lifting effect, as it produces harmonic and balanced results.

In urology IBSA offers a product indicated for repairing the urothelial coating, the loss of which may cause recurrent problems.

Restoring the coating means restoring to the urothelium’s proliferative capacity, its basic characteristics (impermeability and distensibility), blocking the penetration of harmful molecules. This makes it possible to reduce the activation of mastocytes with the consequent reduction in the release of histamine and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators with improvement of bladder function.

Even in the respiratory area IBSA proposes a solution based on hyaluronic acid for restoring physiological interstitial conditions of the pulmonary mucous membranes damaged by chronic bronchial phlogosis and as a coadjuvant treatment in disorders of the respiratory airways.