Second carcass-eating fly species cleared by FDA for maggot wound therapy

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week cleared a second species of carcass-eating fly for use in maggot wound therapy, a development announced by Singapore-based Cuprina Holdings. The company has named its new therapeutic larvae MediFly Maggots and is now the sole entity with FDA clearance to market two distinct fly larvae species, positioning itself for significant market share in maggot therapy. The newly approved species is Lucilia cuprina, also known as the Australian sheep blowfly. This species is closely related to Lucilia sericata, the common green bottle fly, which is the most frequently utilized fly in wound therapy, a practice also referred to as biosurgery or maggot debridement therapy (MDT). The FDA first granted clearance for L. sericata in 2004 to Ronald Sherman, who currently serves as Cuprina's Medical and Scientific Director. This dual clearance allows Cuprina to offer a broader range of therapeutic options for wound care.