Novel biological treatment for diabetic foot ulcers

Important results from the project

The purpose of this project was to develop a new type of wound healing treatment and provide an effective treatment option for patients with diabetic foot ulcers where effective treatments are currently lacking. By developing an efficient treatment, serious complications such as amputation, infection and death can be prevented.

Expected long term effects

The project aimed at developing a cost-effective and stable process for the production of recombinant plasminogen has been successful. The optimised product has been shown in preclinical studies to be effective in accelerating the healing of wounds. These results show that plasminogen has potential to be a new breakthrough treatment for patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers or other chronic wounds. This leads to a significant improvement in the quality of life for these patients and a reduced financial burden for healthcare by reducing the costs of long-term wound care.

Approach and implementation

In order to reach our objective, a consortium was formed that supported the development from preclinical phase to commercialization. The project was divided into different work packages, which included optimisation of the production of recombinant plasminogen, preclinical tests and preparation for clinical studies. An industrial process for the production and purification of plasminogen was first developed. The optimised product was then tested in animal models, showing improved wound healing. Together with experts, the product´s commercial potential was evaluated.