An experimental wound treatment that delivers healing oxygen to injured areas is now entering a preclinical study with the help of the U.S. Department of Defense, which sees the technology as a potential treatment for soldiers.
Durham, North Carolina-based Oxygen Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ:OXBT) has signed a research contract with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey to study the company’s Wundecyte wound gel. The study will be funded by the DOD, though Oxygen Biotherapeutics spokeswoman Ellen Corliss said the company is not disclosing how much DOD is committing to the research. Dr. Antoine Carlisle, a research scientist at HUMC, will be the principal investigator. Oxygen Biotherapeutics said its researchers will work closely with HUMC in the study.
Oxygen Biotherapeutics focuses on treatments that deliver oxygen to injured areas. The company is currently in phase II clinical trials for Oxycyte, a compound delivered intravenously that has been developed to enhance the delivery of oxygen to the brain in patients with traumatic brain injury. The U.S. Army and the Navy both contributed funds for preclinical work on Oxycyte. The clinical trials on the compound are being funded by the company. Wundecyte is a gel developed from Oxycyte that can be used alone or with a bandage that releases oxygen to the injured area.
Oxygen Biotherapeutics Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gerald Klein said in a statement that wounds and burns are common soldier injuries. Providing additional oxygen may help heal wounds, fight infections and decrease scarring.
“Naturally, if study results are favorable, it may also have applications for civilian injuries as well,” he said.
