The US Government has awarded Derma Sciences a $4.5m grant to pre-clinically investigate the use of DSC127 in the treatment of skin injuries associated with acute radiation exposure.
The 16-month grant was awarded by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.
The contract is a part of the deaprtment’s radiological and nuclear threats preparedness strategy, and could be extended for a total of five years with funds of up to $14m.
Derma Sciences had recently reported positive results from Phase II study evaluating DSC127 in diabetic foot ulcer healing.
The results showed that 54% of wounds healed completely in 12 weeks, compared to only 33% of wounds in patients receiving placebo and best standard of care in the intent-to-treat populations.
DSC127 is a novel angiotensin analogue, which has been shown to improve epithelialisation, granulation, vascularisation, and accelerate wound healing in a variety of normal and diabetic animal models.