SBIR-STTR Award

In this proposal Zeomedix proposes to develop a dressing for acute trauma wounds based on its alginate/zeolite encapsulating nitric oxide (NO) technology. Nitric oxide has been shown to enhance the wound healing process as well as act as a powerful antibacterial agent. However, delivery of nitric oxide to a wound area is extremely challenging because NO is a gas. Zeomedix’s approach is to use zeolites that bind NO molecules when exposed to a stream of gaseous NO. When NO-loaded zeolites come in contact with water (or wound fluid), NO is released into the wound area. The aims of this project are to (1) develop a wound dressing that achieve a rapid initial burst of NO for antimicrobial effect followed by a slow extended release of NO for up to 24 hours to accelerate wound closure; (2) demonstrate the stability of a NO-zeolite based wound dressing over a period of up to 4 months; and (3) to demonstrate the antimicrobial effectiveness of a NO-zeolite based wound dressing.

Keywords:
Nitric Oxide, Zeolite, Wound Healing, Drug Delivery, Antibacterial

In this proposal Zeomedix proposes to develop a dressing for infected trauma wounds based on its zeolite encapsulating nitric oxide (NO) technology. Nitric oxide has been shown to enhance the wound healing process as well as act as a powerful antibacterial agent. However, delivery of nitric oxide to a wound area is extremely challenging because NO is a gas. Zeomedix’s approach is to use zeolites that bind NO molecules when exposed to a stream of gaseous NO. When NO-loaded zeolites come in contact with water (or wound fluid), NO is released into the wound area. The overall goal of Zeomedix’s Phase II project is to develop an optimal NO-zeolite wound dressing for treating infected acute wounds. Our technical approach can be organized into three steps: (1) Develop three different NO-zeolite wound dressing prototypes, consisting of NO-zeolite ointment enclosed within a semi-porous pouch, each having distinct nitric oxide release rates. (2) Characterize the storage stability, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial efficacy of the prototypes against both planktonic microorganisms and bacterial biofilms in vitro. (3) Evaluate the ability of the two leading prototypes to reduce wound infection and improve wound healing in vivo using a full-thickness infected porcine wound model. The overall goal of Zeomedix’s Phase II project is to develop an optimal NO-zeolite wound dressing for treating infected acute wounds. Our technical approach can be organized into three steps: (1) Develop three different NO-zeolite wound dressing prototypes, consisting of NO-zeolite ointment enclosed within a semi-porous pouch, each having distinct nitric oxide release rates (2) Characterize the storage stability, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial efficacy of the prototypes against both planktonic microorganisms and bacterial biofilms in vitro (3) Evaluate the ability of the two leading prototypes to reduce wound infection and improve wound healing in vivo using a full-thickness infected porcine wound model.

Keywords:
Nitric Oxide, Zeolites, Wound Dressing, Improved Cutaneous Wound Healing, Antimicrobial, Inflammation, Angiogenesis, Biofilms