RION Advances in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment with PEP™ Phase 2 Study
RION, a leader in regenerative medicine, has announced the completion of patient enrollment for its Phase 2 clinical trial of Purified Exosome Product™ (PEP™) for the treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs). This pivotal study involves 59 patients across multiple centers in the United States, focusing on the safety and efficacy of PEP™ when used alongside standard wound care practices.
The Challenge of Diabetic Foot Ulcers
DFUs are a severe complication of diabetes, impacting approximately 18.6 million people worldwide each year. The condition is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and an annual treatment cost exceeding $13 billion in the U.S. alone. Despite the critical need for effective treatments, the field has seen no new biologics approved for diabetic wound care in over 20 years.
PEP™: A Novel Therapeutic Approach
PEP™ is a proprietary, lyophilized exosome-based powder derived from human platelets. It is designed to enhance the body's natural healing processes by promoting cellular growth, angiogenesis, and reducing inflammation. These mechanisms are crucial for successful wound healing, offering a promising new avenue for DFU treatment.
Phase 2 Study Details
The ongoing Phase 2 trial is a multi-center, prospective, open-label study that will assess key endpoints such as wound closure rates, time to healing, and overall safety over up to 12 weekly applications of PEP™. This study builds on the positive outcomes of RION's earlier Phase 1B trial at Mayo Clinic, which demonstrated PEP™'s safety and potential efficacy.
Looking Ahead
"We are thrilled to announce the full enrollment of our Phase 2 study, a crucial milestone in advancing PEP™ and exosome-based therapeutics," stated Atta Behfar, MD, PhD, co-founder of RION. The company plans to initiate a pivotal Phase 3 study following the successful completion of this trial, with the ultimate goal of submitting a Biologics License Application (BLA) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
RION's innovative approach to regenerative medicine, rooted in over two decades of research and development at Mayo Clinic, positions PEP™ as a potential game-changer in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, addressing a significant unmet medical need with a novel therapeutic strategy.
