Bioadhesive Gel Could Help Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers

A new project seeks to develop a sustained release matrix for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) that could improve the effectiveness of conventional treatments.

The collaboration between the University of Barcelona (UB, Spain), Ojer Pharma Laboratories (Pamplona, Spain), and Tecnalia Research & Innovation (Biscay, Spain) was formed to improve the efficiency of conventional topical treatments by developing a bioadhesive gel that combines cicatrizant properties with a topical antiseptic as indicated for the treatment of DFU, an illness that affects 15-20% of diabetics, and can lead to the amputation of the limb.

The project, dubbed PRODERMA, is based on an innovative production technique that facilitates the transport and administration of the active ingredients, thus improving the treatment of ulcerative DFU injuries. As part of the project, Tecnalia’s pharmaceutical development laboratory will select the candidate polymers and the topical antiseptics necessary to obtain a stable, safe, and effective formula. It will also provide analytical development and technological transfer along with the fine tuning, scaling and validation of the production processes under good manufacturing practice (GMP).

Diabetes patients often suffer from nerve and circulation problems in the feet, which reduce their perception of pain. The nerve pathways that ensure that weight is automatically transferred from one foot to the other during prolonged standing are disrupted, and as a result, diabetics do not notice that their toes, heels, or the balls of their feet are too heavily loaded. The foot receives no relief, and pressure sores, ulcers, and infections may go unnoticed; serious cases may even lead to amputation.

Related Links:
University of Barcelona
Ojer Pharma Laboratories
Tecnalia Research & Innovation