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INITIAL trials of a drug that reduces scar formation have produced encouraging results.

Although the substance still has numerous regulatory hurdles to clear, it is the first of its type to be tested on people. If the drug proves successful, it could routinely be used to prevent scarring after surgery or following serious accidents.

“Scarring is a problem that is much more important to patients than it is to doctors,” says Mark Ferguson, an expert on skin healing at the University of Manchester, UK, and chief executive of Renovo, the company set up to develop the drug. Even a skilful performance in the operating theatre can…

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