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AN INNOVATION IN
MODERN WOUND CARE
THE PROBLEM:
Health System
The burden on the health system in the US caused by chronic wounds
Sources
- Healogics, Wound Care by Number, 2017.
- J Med Econ. 2023 Jan-Dec; 26 (1): 894-901
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
- Diabetic foot ulcers can increase healthcare costs by an average of $11,710 annually per Medicare patient, with costs rising to $16,883 for privately insured individuals.²
- The average for treating pressure ulcers in Medicare patients is estimated at $3,415 to $4,436 per wound, depending on the severity.²
THE PROBLEM:
Antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance: a global health threat
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO). “Antibiotic Resistance.” World Health Organization, 2020
- O’Neill, Jim. “Tackling Drug- Resistant Infections Globally: Final Report and Recommendations.” UK Government, 2016.
- Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). “State of the World’s Antibiotics, 2015.”
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.
THE PROBLEM:Antibiotics
Antibiotics in Wound Care
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Antibiotic Resistance Threats in the United States, 2019.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2019.
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.
THE PROBLEM:
Biofilm
Biofilm in chronic wounds
Sources
- World Health Organization (WHO), “Antimicrobial resistance”
- Percival, S.L., et al. “Biofilms and Wounds: An Overview of the Evidence.” Journal of Wound Care, 2019
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
THE SOLUTION
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.
CASE STUDIES
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