Foregen
Foregen is a registered Italian charity. Foregen was founded by Sig. Vincenzo Aiello of Italy to promote and arrange a clinical trial that would use regenerative techniques to regrow the tissue removed at circumcision. Foregen's goal is to heal the physical loss of functional tissue that is inherent to circumcision. Foregen's principal office is at Via Campi Flegrei 59, 00141 Rome, Italy.
History
After dismissing many unsatisfactory proposals from research institutions, Foregen decided to conduct its own research and clinical trials. Foregen has applied regenerative techniques to animal foreskins and will continue research on adult human foreskins.
Foregen announced in 2018 that it had completed a decellularized extracellular matrix–based biomaterial scaffold, which is to be used in foreskin regeneration.[1]
Foregen announced in December 2021 that it is hoped that clinical trials would commence in April 2023.[2]
Regenerative medicine
Regenerative medical techniques now offer a greater possibility than ever to regrow human tissue, especially dermal tissue, lost in prior trauma. Regenerative medicine has been used to recreate vaginas of women with some congenital conditions[3]. Experiments have been performed to regenerate the penis of rabbits.[4] [5][6] Also progress has been made in penile transplants[7] [8] and phalloplasties[9]. However, regenerative medicine has not yet been applied to those who have been circumcised, but no longer wish to be.
For more information on the science behind Foregen, read: The science of regeneration
Goals
Foregen’s tasks are:
- To experiment with animal tissue to obtain a viable method of foreskin regeneration
- To apply the experience from animal experiments to regenerate human foreskins
- To advance onto clinical trials once Foregen proves that regenerating human foreskin is possible
Foregen is a charity
Foregen™ was created in 2010 thanks to donor funds. Foregen operates in the United States and Europe. Its head office is in Rome, Italy, where it is a registered charity (Reg. No. 6482, Serie 1T, 2010). See original founding documents here. Foregen is also tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is headed by a board of charitable directors with participants and donors across both continents and beyond.
Foreget announced on 19 December 2021 that its cummulative donations had exceeded $1 million.
Videos
Foregen Explained: Who We Are and What We Do
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Message from Foregen's president, Vincenzo Aiello
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HUFO - The Missing Piece
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Foregen and the Science of Regeneration
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Sheep Trials Part 1: Preparing the Sheep and Attaching ECMs
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Consultation with Dr. Dan mon O'Dey
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Vincenzo Aiello announces success of sheep trials
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Foreskin Regeneration Nonprofit Raises Half a Million Dollars
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Foreskin sensation
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Progress reports
Forgen released the results of a survey on 9 January 2023 which reported that 21 percent of American circumcised men (more than 18 million) would consider undergoing a procedure to regenerate their foreskin.[10]
As of March 2024, Foregen has not yet regenerated a foreskin.
Some of Foregen's principal employees resigned in 2025 to start a for-profit stock tissue-engineering company named Αkroprint.
