One of the world’s most respected surgeons in the field of burns and trauma recovery will lead world-first clinical trials aiming to stop scars forming, particularly after burn injuries, utilising the latest discovery by biopharmaceuticals company Pharmaxis (ASX: PXS). 

The discovery, known as PXS-6302 has shown promising pre‐clinical results in inhibiting the enzymes that play a role in the development of scar tissue. Critically, the application of compound PXS-6302 has the potential to inhibit the enzymes responsible for scar tissue formation during the healing process.

“Scarring can have a devastating and life‐long impact on people who have suffered traumatic injuries.  A topical cream to reduce scarring would have a significant role in treatment with broad application in the hospital and community medical settings,” said Pharmaxis CEO, Gary Phillips. 

The clinical trials will be led by distinguished surgeon and burns expert Professor Fiona Wood AM who will lead a team of researchers at the University of Western Australia. 

An industry leader, Wood has an extensive background in skin trauma research having been the co-founder of Spray On Skin which was commercialised with great success as a product that can promote wound healing and reduce scarring on burn victims. 

In these trials for PXS-6302 however, the aim is to eliminate the scar tissue from forming altogether as a proactive treatment to scar formation, rather than reactive. 

“It’s exciting  for  the  research  team to explore a novel path to reduce scarring and to be moving closer to that goal. Scar‐less healing is the vision that has motivated our work over many decades,” said Professor Wood. 

Initial plans are for trial participants to be prescribed a cream that can be applied topically as a non-invasive alternative to cryotherapy or laser treatment which have limited outcomes. 

The launch of these clinical trials follows a busy few weeks for Pharmaxis which recently commenced enrollment of patients into their FDA-approved trials for PXS-5505. Early testing suggests it has disease-modifying potential to treat bone marrow cancer myelofibrosis where current treatments cost upwards of $1 million. 

Additional applications for PXS-5505 are expected to include liver and pancreatic cancer where it aims to break down fibrotic tissue in the tumours and enhance the effect of chemotherapy treatment. 

Pharmaxis welcomes investors to register for updates on their latest developments and industry research by joining their mailing list here. 

 

*Owners of this website are PXS shareholders.