Intercytex Group Plc, which specializes in cell therapy, said on Tuesday its laboratory-made living skin was fully and consistently integrated into the human body.

Results of the tests were published in the journal Regenerative Medicine and showed that Intercytex's artificial skin, ICX-SKN, was fully integrated after 28 days, producing a closed and healed wound site.

ICX-SKN is made up of a matrix produced by the same skin cells -- fibroblasts -- that are responsible for laying down the collagen in natural skin. The fibroblasts weave a structure which mimics that found in skin.

Current best practice for serious wounds is to use a skin graft taken from a different part of the patient's own body -- but this is a painful process and creates a new wound.