Development of Technologies that Control Scar Contracture after Burn Injuries

Current therapies to prevent scar formation and contracture of burns are minimally effective. QuickMed Technologies (QMT) proposes to develop an advanced therapy to enhance healing and prevent contraction of burn scars by combining the advanced prototype BURN-PLUS dressing with Endoform dermal template. BURN-PLUS is an occlusive island dressing with an adhesive apron bonded onto a super absorbent, microbicidal, pad that provides sustained release of two pre-loaded, FDA-cleared drugs: doxycycline and Kepivance. Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that also reduces inflammation through inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) converting enzyme (TACE) and inhibits contraction of collagen lattices by myofibroblasts through its inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Kepivance is keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), which accelerates healing of skin wounds by directly stimulating proliferation and migration of epithelial cells. Endoform is a novel acellular matrix that has intact extracellular matrix (ECM) components (collagen IV, laminin, fibronectin) and growth factors (FGF2, VEGF) that increases vascularization and decreases irregular scar matrix in pig skin wounds. In this Phase I project, QMT will optimize design components of BURN-PLUS dressing and test its effectiveness alone and combined with Endoform matrix on enhancing healing and reducing scar formation and contracture of burn wounds in pigs.