EternoGen, supported by the University of Missouri, set to go worldwide

Groundbreaking medical research with hundreds of thousands of dollars in initial funding from the University of Missouri is set to gain wider exposure.

The UM System gave $200,000 to EternoGen through the Enterprise Investment Program.

On Tuesday, EternoGen and the UM System announced the company gained nearly $1.5 million in additional funding and will enter the commercialization phase.

Company researchers say the product under development is designed to help heal burn patients, soldiers who have been injured, and heal damaged skin faster and more efficiently.

Researchers are taking collagen, the protein that makes skin firm, and finding ways to inject it to heal damaged skin.

EternoGen researchers say it may take four or five years before their practices make it to the U.S. and start making money, but it could be in Europe and Asia as soon as next year.