Roughly 500,000 Americans suffer nerve injuries each year. A French startup, Tissium, has developed a thick, sticky liquid that could revolutionise how these injuries are treated.

This biopolymer—made from fatty acids and glycerol—acts as a splint to hold nerves in place while the body heals. Unlike traditional sutures, it degrades after healing, minimising trauma and optimising patient outcomes.

Tissium has successfully trialled their technique on 12 patients, all of whom regained full sensation in their fingers. This success could pave the way for more advanced biomaterials in modern surgery.

The company is expanding its reach into other areas, including hernia repair and cardiovascular reconstruction. With funding from both private investors and the European Union, Tissium aims to bring consistency to surgical techniques and improve patient recovery rates.