Tissue Engineering Technology: Excellagen
Excellagen
Excellagen is a syringe-based, professional-use, pharmaceutically-formulated 2.6% fibrillar Type I bovine collagen gel that functions as an acellular biological modulator designed to accelerate the growth of granulation tissue and to activate the wound healing process. Excellagen is FDA-cleared for the treatment of neuropathic and diabetic foot ulcers, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, surgical wounds, and other dermal wounds, and is intended for professional use following standard debridement procedures in the presence of blood cells and platelets, which are involved with the release of endogenous growth factors. Excellagen's unique high-molecular weight fibrillar Type I bovine collagen gel formulation is topically applied through easy-to-control, pre-filled, sterile, single-use syringes and its viscosity-optimized gel formulation is designed for application at only one-week intervals. It is recommended that Excellagen be applied during debridement in the presence of blood cells and platelets, which are involved with the release of endogenous growth factors.1 Excellagen has been shown to activate human platelets, triggering the release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF).2
There have also been important, positive findings reported by physicians now using Excellagen as part of our initial physician sampling, patient outreach and market "seeding" programs. As case studies are being conducted, a number of physicians have reported observing a rapid onset of the growth of granulation tissue in a wide array of wounds, including classic non-healing diabetic foot ulcers (consistent with the results of Cardium's Matrix clinical study), as well as pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, and Mohs surgical wounds. In certain cases, rapid granulation tissue growth and wound closure have been reported using Excellagen's wound care management therapy following unsuccessful treatment with other advanced wound care approaches. From a dermatology perspective, a previously unexplored vertical market, remarkable biological healing responses have been observed following cancer-related Mohs surgery for patients diagnosed with squamous and basal cell carcinomas, including deep surgical wounds extending to the periosteum (a membrane that lines the outer surface of bones). Additionally, because of the easy-use, and platelet activating capacity, physicians have been employing Excellagen in severe non-healing wounds at near-amputation status, in combination with autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy and collagen sheet products. These case studies and physician feedback provide additional information regarding the potential uses of Excellagen and support its medical utility as an important new tool to help promote the wound healing process. Case studies are available at http://www.excellagen.com/surgical-wounds.html.
Internationally, Cardium plans to obtain a CE Mark for the potential marketing and sale of Excellagen in the European Union, which consists of 27 member countries. The Company expects to be in a position to obtain a CE Mark for Excellagen in early 2013. Cardium also has a marketing and distribution agreement with BL&H Co. for the marketing and sale of Excellagen in South Korea, which is currently advancing through the regulatory and reimbursement pricing process. In addition, Advanced Biosciences Research, an affiliate of bioRASI, is assisting Cardium for the planned commercialization of Excellagen in Russia and the eight additional member countries comprising the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Formulated collagen gel accelerates healing rate immediately after application in patients with diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers.
Cardium's Excellagen formulated fibrillar collagen topical gel also represents a new product platform that allows for the potential development of a portfolio of advanced wound care and therapeutic products. Cardium's Gene Activated Matrix (GAM) technology represents one extension of Cardium's FDA-cleared viscosity optimized, fibrillar collagen-based matrix for the localized topical delivery of agents that could include anti-infectives, antibiotics, peptides, proteins, small molecules, DNA, stem cells, differentiated cells and conditioned cell media.
A publication from a Phase 2b clinical study in diabetic neuropathic ulcers reported that application of 2.6% formulated fibrillar collagen resulted in a statistically significant 173% relative improvement in the acceleration of healing (reduction in wound radius) during the first week following a one-time application compared to patients receiving standard of care therapy.3
To learn more about new Excellagen and for product ordering information, please visit www.excellagen.com and view the informational video, Excellagen: A New Wound Care Pathway for Diabetic Foot Ulcers, at http://www.excellagen.com/excellagen-video.html.
1. Fufa D, Shealy B, Jacobson M, Kevy S, Murray MM. Activation of platelet-rich plasma using soluble type I collagen. J Oral Maxillofac
2 In-vitro data on file at Cardium
3 Blume, P., Driver, V. R., Tallis, A. J., Kirsner, R. S., Kroeker, R., Payne, W. G., Wali, S., Marston, W., Dove, C., Engler, R. L., Chandler, L. A. and Sosnowski, B. K. (2011), Formulated collagen gel accelerates healing rate immediately after application in patients with diabetic neuropathic foot ulcers. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 19: 302–308. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-475X.2011.00669.