Singapore-headquartered Cuprina Holdings (Cayman) Ltd (NASDAQ: CUPR) is drawing on nature’s helpers to combat stubborn health issues in innovative ways.
The company’s shares on the Nasdaq just soared after it won an important American regulatory approval for its maggot-based wound treatment. On Jun. 15, Cuprina announced that its subsidiary received FDA 510(k) clearance for MEDIFLY Maggots, the first such clearance for a product using the Lucilia cuprina species of fly larvae. Earlier approved maggot therapies have relied on the closely related Lucilia sericata.
Cuprina’s use of Lucilia cuprina provides a major advantage. This species is the native blowfly already widely used and trusted by doctors in warmer Asian, Australian and Middle Eastern markets, which should allow for speedier regulatory approvals and smoother clinical adoption in these regions.
Investors responded strongly to the news, sending stock up by over 111 per cent on Monday. It climbed from a previous close around US$3.97 to US$8.41.
The clearance covers the use of these medical-grade larvae to clean non-healing wounds, such as pressure sores, foot ulcers in people with diabetes and wounds that do not heal after injury or surgery. Healthcare professionals apply the live but safe maggots to the wound. The creatures eat only dead tissue and bacteria while leaving healthy parts untouched, which helps the body heal naturally.
Cuprina currently works with both varieties of maggots. It already distributes the well-known Lucilia sericata variety under licence. The new clearance adds its own Lucilia cuprina product, giving the firm rights to both main species used in this kind of therapy.
This US approval marks a considerable win for the startup. It opens the door to the American market and serves as a strong stamp of quality that could potentially speed up approvals in places like Saudi Arabia and mainland China. Cuprina currently only serves Singapore and Hong Kong with MEDIFLY, but also provides cosmeceutical (skincare) goods to Malaysia and Australia.
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Cuprina’s broader plans with nature’s toolbox
The biotech company’s creature ambitions do not stop at maggots. It creates collagen dressings from American bullfrog skin as well. Researchers turn leftover skins, which would otherwise go to waste, into materials that support wound healing by helping new tissue grow through a natural biochemical process.
Cuprina explores leech therapy too. The firm will have its own variety of hirudotherapy by the end of this year or in 2027, according to its latest presentation. Medical leeches gently remove extra blood and fluid from certain wounds or surgical sites. This improves blood flow and reduces swelling in a natural way.
Beyond wound care, Cuprina works in additional areas. It sells skin restoration balms and muscle care products with natural ingredients for athletes and everyday users. The company also produces special nutrient solutions for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to support fertility treatments and looks at ways to recycle medical waste into useful materials.
Cuprina listed on the Nasdaq through an IPO in 2025 but faced difficulties, including a low share price that led to a 1-for-8 reverse stock split late last month and efforts to regain compliance with listing rules. The firm worked hard, including through a compliance regain just before the FDA news, to maintain its public listing.
This pivotal American regulatory approval has brought the company optimism following recent turbulence.
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