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Chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, venous leg ulcers and pressure sores, affect approximately 6.7 million Americans, with an estimated annual treatment cost exceeding $50 billion. These costs are particularly significant within the Medicare population, where nearly 15 % of beneficiaries experience chronic wounds.¹
Medicare spending per wound varies by type
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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a critical global health challenge.
Around 700,000 people die annually¹ from resistant infections, and this number could rise to 10 million by 2050².
The global misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to a 36% increase in consumption³ between 2000 and 2011, exacerbating resistance worldwide.
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In the U.S., the overuse of antibiotics has led to a significant rise in antibiotic resistance, posing a critical challenge in wound care management. Since 2011, medical guidelines, such as the CDC’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, have recommended a reduction in the use of antibiotics, particularly in non-healing wounds. Overuse not only contributes to resistance but can also disrupt wound healing and lead to complications like contact allergies¹.
Systemic antibiotic therapy is generally reserved for cases where a multidrug- resistant organism (such as MRSA) is present, or a wound infection is clinically diagnosed. The CDC advocates for the judicious use of antibiotics to minimize the development of further resistance.
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Biofilm is a complex microbial community of bacteria and fungi encased in a protective matrix, making them resistant to antibiotics and the immune system. Biofilm is present in 60% to 90% of chronic wounds worldwide, contributing to delayed healing and chronic inflammation¹.
Infections involving biofilm are a major cause of non-healing wounds globally, increasing both treatment complexity and healthcare costs. Current guidelines emphasize the physical disruption of biofilm and proper wound care management, as no one-step solution for its complete removal exists yet. This global issue has led to a growing focus on reducing the use of systemic antibiotics and adopting more targeted approaches.²
PATHELEN® Hybrid is an innovative one-step solution designed to physically adsorb wound exudate and create optimal conditions for wound healing.
The large surface area of the fumed silica in PATHELEN® Hybrid enhances capillary action, facilitating the adsorption of wound exudate and promoting a cleaner wound environment.PATHELEN® Hybrid is currently registered as a Class I medical device with SWISSMEDIC. We are actively preparing for reclassification under the new MDR (Medical Device Regulation) as a Class IIb device in the EU and as 510(k) in the US to further enhance its market accessibility and clinical applications.
In recent years, the PATHELEN® HYBRID therapy has been tested on patients in various hospitals and has been continuously developed. A wide variety of wound infections were successfully treated until the patient had completely healed and recovered.
Case studies of successful treatments for MRSA infected wounds
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