EUROPEAN WOUND CARE MARKET PROJECTS EXPONENTIAL GROWTH

       According to an analysis by Frost & Sullivan (London, England), the $1.1 billion European wound care market is slated to grow an annual average of 10%–12% from 2003 through 2009. This growth is expected as a result of traditional dressing and advanced wound care dressing markets. Growth in the advanced dressing market is projected to outstrip that of the traditional market, powering overall revenues to an estimated $2 billion by 2009.

       Visit http://www.frost.com for more information.

MACROCHEM SIGNS LICENSING AGREEMENT FOR PEXIGANAN

       MacroChem Corporation (Wellesley, Mass) signed an option to acquire exclusive worldwide licensing rights for drug uses of Pexiganan from the Genaera Corporation. Pexiganan is a small peptide anti-infective used for topical treatment of patients with mild diabetic foot infection.
       Clinical trials with Pexiganan previously conducted by Genaera included 2 Phase III trials submitted in a New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. At that time, outstanding issues with Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls and an FDA request for one additional controlled trial precluded approval.

       Visit http://www.macrochem.com for more information.

KANE BIOTECH CONFIRMS POSITIVE RESULTS FROM IN-VITRO STUDY OF DISPERSIN B AND LYTIC BACTERIOPHAGE

       Kane Biotech Inc (Winnipeg, Canada) revealed positive results from an in-vitro study using Dispersin B and lytic bacteriophage to treat chronic wound infections.
       The study showed that the combination of Dipsersin B with a bacteriophage mixture was effective against biofilm-embedded E coli.
       Specifically, the Dispersin B and bacteriophage mixture showed almost 99% inhibition of E coli growth compared to only 9% growth by the bacteriophage alone over a 4-day treatment period. This combination therapy can provide a new and highly effective method of treating chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers.

       Visit http://www.kanebiotech.com for more information.

PIERRE GUYOT APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF MÖLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE

       Mölnlycke Health Care (Gothenburg, Sweden) recently appointed Pierre Guyot, former President of Wound Care Division, to Chief Executive Officer and President. Mölnlycke Health Care is a world leading manufacturer of single-use surgical and wound care products and services for the professional health sector.

       Visit http://www.molnlycke.com for more information.

PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY USED FOR TREATING MICROBIAL DISEASE IN WOUNDS

       The IP Group Photopharmica (Leeds, UK) announces the completion of the first Phase II placebo-controlled clinical trial using topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of microbial disease in wounds. The trial employed Photopharmica’s proprietary drug, PPA 904, a photosensitiser belonging to the phenothiazinium family.
       The trial proved that a single treatment achieved a statistically significant bacterial load reduction in chronic leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. Photopharmica plans to carry out further trials of PPA 904 in bacterially colonized chronic ulcers beginning in 2008.

       Visit http://www.photopharmica.com for more information.

ANTIMICROBIAL MATTRESS COVER REDUCES THREAT OF MRSA

       Gaymar Industries, Inc (Orchard Park, NY), in conjunction with Dartex Coatings Limited (Slatersville, RI), and Smith & Nephew (London, England) Extruded Films, released a new antimicrobial mattress cover designed to reduce the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other bacteria.
       The mattress cover utilizes a patented Silver3^® technology that targets bacteria found on surfaces that come in contact with bodily fluids. Through ionic silver technology, the antimicrobial mattress cover disperses silver ions in response to humidity and moisture, reducing MRSA and other bacteria by 99.9%.

       Visit http://www.gaymar.com or http://www.snef.co.uk for more information.

AGREEMENT REACHED FOR NANOPARTICLE WOUND CARE THERAPEUTIC

       Uluru Inc (Addison, Tex), announces that the company has entered a codevelopment agreement with Immuneregen BioSciences(Scottsdale, Ariz) to evaluate the wound healing potential of a combination of hydrogel nanoparticle wound dressing and Immuneregen’s Homspera^™ therapeutic.
       Homspera, derived from Substance P, is a naturally-occurring peptide immunomodulator and homeostatic compound that stimulates the immune system. In-vivo animal tests, in addition to data generated by numerous third parties, indicate the potential for this compound to accelerate wound healing via up-regulation growth factors involved in the wound healing process.

       Visit http://www.uluruinc.com for more information.

TALLEY GROUP LAUNCHES NEGATIVE PRESSURE WOUND THERAPY SYSTEM

       Talley Group Ltd (Romsey, Hampshire, UK) recently launched its Venturi^™ negative pressure wound therapy system.The Venturi System provides negative pressure wound therapy using a state of the art power unit, canister kit, and a dressing technique, which uses silicon drains and a gauze interface.

       Visit http://www.talleygroup.com for more information.

SUPPLY AGREEMENT REACHED FOR HEMORRHAGE CONTROL BANDAGES WITH CHITOSAN EXTRACT

       HemCon Medical Technologies (Portland, Ore), recently agreed to a 4-year partnership with Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio) to use HemCon’s hemorrhage control bandages in nonmilitary settings. These new bandages are thinner, more flexible, are sized differently than the HemCon military bandages, and control severe arterial bleeding. The bandages utilize chitosan, an extract from shrimp shells, to control moderate to severe external bleeding and adhere to the skin by forming a strong, flexible barrier that seals and stabilizes the wound.

       Visit http://www.hemcon.com for more information.

SINOBIOMED COMMENCES PRODUCTION OF ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR

       SinoBiomed (Shanghai, China), a company that develops genetically engineered recombinant protein drugs and vaccines, is beginning to produce a recombinant acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) for treatment of ulceration including deep burns, and chronic ulcers caused by, diabetes, vascular diseases, and bed sores.