Israel, Italy and Crans-Montana: science saving lives

In the aftermath of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, as grief and concern spread across Europe, a message of hope has emerged through swift medical cooperation. In a race against time, a life-saving treatment was transferred from Genoa to Milan—one capable of making a decisive difference for patients suffering from severe burns.

NEXOBRID

The drug is called NexoBrid, and it stands as a compelling example of how Israeli scientific innovation can translate into concrete, life-saving care.

Fifteen vials were urgently dispatched from Villa Scassi Hospital in Genoa to Niguarda Hospital in Milan to treat Italian patients with extensive burn injuries. NexoBrid is not a conventional medication, but an advanced enzymatic gel developed through Israeli bio-pharmaceutical research, now recognized internationally for its effectiveness in the treatment of deep burns.

In cases of severe burns, necrotic skin tissue—known as eschar—poses a critical and often underestimated threat. Acting as a breeding ground for infection, it significantly increases the risk of sepsis and mortality. The prompt and selective removal of this tissue is therefore essential to improving survival outcomes.

NexoBrid offers a groundbreaking solution. Formulated with proteolytic enzymes, primarily bromelain derived from pineapple stems, the gel is applied directly to the burn wound and, within approximately four hours, selectively dissolves dead tissue while preserving viable skin. This highly targeted action achieves results comparable to surgical debridement, but without the need for prolonged operations, invasive procedures, or general anesthesia—an especially important advantage for critically ill patients.

Image courtesy of NexoBrid https://mediwound.com/product/nexobrid/

The result is a clean wound bed, ready for skin grafting, with reduced pain, fewer infections, minimized scarring, and shorter hospital stays. Above all, it offers patients a significantly improved chance of survival.

Behind this treatment stands MediWound Ltd., an Israeli biopharmaceutical company that developed the technology, holds the patents, and led the entire clinical pathway through to international regulatory approvals. In the United States, NexoBrid received authorization from the FDA in 2022, while in Italy it is marketed through MediWound Germany GmbH. It is a clear and tangible example of how Israeli medical innovation continues to deliver advanced solutions to the most extreme clinical challenges.

A question many have rightly asked is this: why was the drug available in Genoa and not in Milan? The answer lies in the complexity of these treatments.

Villa Scassi is one of Italy’s leading centers for the treatment of severe burn injuries and maintains supplies of rare, costly, and fast-expiring medications that require highly specialized medical expertise. In emergencies involving multiple critically injured patients, these reserves can be depleted very quickly. This is where the network of cooperation among hospitals becomes crucial: Genoa opened its stores and shared what was available, demonstrating how essential medical solidarity truly is.

In the midst of a tragedy that has deeply affected many, this story reminds us that lives can also be protected through invisible bridges built on research, cooperation, and responsibility. It also shows how a drug developed in Israel, the result of years of study and innovation, is today helping to save lives in Italy—a powerful testament to the fact that when science is placed at the service of humanity, it knows no borders.