Scientists receive HHS grant to investigate DSC127 in treatment of skin injuries linked with radiation exposure

Feb 23 2011

Derma Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSCI), a medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, today announced that researchers who invented DSC127 have been awarded a $4.5 million, 16-month grant by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to investigate preclinically the use of DSC127 in the treatment of skin injuries associated with acute radiation exposure. This contract, which is part of the HHS radiological and nuclear threats preparedness strategy, could be extended for a total of five years and up to a total of $14 million. Derma Sciences recently announced positive Phase 2 data in the use of DSC127 in diabetic foot ulcer healing, in which 54% of wounds healed completely in 12 weeks, compared with only 33% of wounds in patients receiving placebo and best standard of care in the intent to treat populations.

"We are very excited that the U.S. Government has validated the potential of DSC127 by the award of this grant," commented Edward J. Quilty, president and chief executive officer of Derma Sciences. "The size of this grant is significant and not only will we be provided with the opportunity to work towards an additional indication, it will also potentially afford us the ability to gain further knowledge about the mechanism of action of the compound in indications beyond diabetic foot ulcer healing. This will be helpful as we consider advancing DSC127 along the development pathway for additional indications, both in large patient populations such as the $1.2 billion U.S. market for scar reduction, and in orphan indications such as epidermolysis bullosa."

Source: Derma Sciences, Inc