ICF: Novel Antimicrobial Peptides for Local Wound Sepsis Control

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Wounds are breeding grounds for bacteria and hence infection is the major contributor to morbidity in patients, causing delayed healing, loss of skin grafts and sepsis. Delayed wound healing causes significant functional and psychological morbidity for patients, loss of limbs (in diabetes) or even loss of life (in burns). Wound dressings represent an important approach for wound care and management, but there is little evidence to support the routine use of the current antimicrobial dressings for complex wounds. Most antimicrobial dressings do not show clear wound healing benefits. This could be due to limitations such as local cytotoxicity, lack of penetrance and variable antimicrobial efficacy. Conventional antibiotics should be avoided for repeated or prolonged uses in wound care, because of the emergence of pathogens resistant to these commonly used antimicrobials. This highlights the urgent need for novel approaches.We are developing novel patented antimicrobial peptide (AMP) releasing hydrofibre dressings with a broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, to stem wound infection and improve wound healing. Our AMP has been developed through rational design, selected from many dozens of candidates, and tested against a range of microbes. The dressing will have a broad-spectrum of activity against wound isolated pathogens, feature high potency against resistant microbes, have fast dynamic kill, and high penetrance through resistant biofilms. Our AMP is easy to synthesize, highly stable and non-toxic. Our prototype wound dressing is designed to recognise the healthcare needs from clinicians and patients, including ease of application and removal, exudate management and affordability. The technology would represent a valuable addition to current wound care.