Pharmaxis announces world-first clinical trial of wound and burn scars prevention treatment

Pharmaxis Ltd (ASX:PXS) (FRA:UUD) has entered a world-first clinical trial aiming to stop scars forming after trauma, particularly following burn injuries. 

Distinguished surgeon and burns expert Professor Fiona Wood AM is leading a group of researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Fiona Stanley Hospital to test the treatment in the first human trials. 

The Pharmaxis discovery, known as PXS‐6302, has shown promising pre‐clinical results in inhibiting the enzymes that play a critical role in the development of scar tissue. 

Professor Wood said, “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.” 

“Improving scar outcomes following surgery” 

Skin scarring after events such as accidents, surgery or burns, place a substantial physical and psychological burden on patients. 

UWA Senior Research Fellow at the School of Biomedical Sciences Dr Kylie Sandy‐Hodgetts said: “Scar formation following surgery has a huge impact on patient wellbeing and how people feel about themselves. 

“What we’re hoping is that this new cream may have the potential to improve scar outcomes in patients following surgery.

“Current treatments aim to rectify the scar in the acute phase such as during wound healing and scar maturation through options such as compression therapy, silicone gel sheeting or when the scar is established by cryotherapy, scar revision or laser with limited outcomes at times.

“This new compound may potentially avoid the need for invasive procedures such as further surgery or laser procedures.”

“Broad application in medical field”

The world‐first human trial will determine the safety and tolerability of the product in healthy volunteers, which will lead to further trials in burns and surgical patients. 

Pharmaxis CEO Gary Phillips said the company was very pleased to see its expertise in fibrosis being applied to help patients with scarring. 

He said: “We have had a long and productive collaboration with researchers at UWA and this important trial of our drug PXS‐6302 will establish whether the remarkable results seen in the pre‐clinical models can be replicated in patients. 

“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.”

Story by ProactiveInvestors