MediWound Ltd. (Nasdaq: MDWD) has announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical study to evaluate EscharEx for the treatment of venous leg ulcers (VLUs). The study, scheduled to commence in 2025, is designed to support the Biologics License Application (BLA) for EscharEx and reinforce the company's commercialization strategy.
The randomized, multicenter trial will include 45 patients across the U.S. and Europe, who will be assigned to receive either EscharEx, a placebo, or collagenase in a 1:1:1 ratio. The study will focus on key safety endpoints, such as the incidence and severity of adverse events, and efficacy endpoints including time to complete wound closure and debridement.
EscharEx: A Novel Approach to VLU Treatment
EscharEx is a bioactive debridement therapy enriched with bromelain, currently in advanced clinical development. Previous Phase II trials have indicated that EscharEx is safe and well-tolerated, showing efficacy in debridement and promoting granulation tissue, which is crucial for wound healing. The new study aims to further validate these findings on a larger scale.
Ofer Gonen, CEO of MediWound, expressed confidence in EscharEx's potential based on positive results from earlier studies and expects the new study to further validate its effectiveness on a larger scale.
Strategic Collaborations for Trial Support
MediWound has formed strategic R&D collaborations with Solventum and Mölnlycke Health Care to support the trial. Solventum will supply the Coban 2 Two-Layer Compression System, while Mölnlycke will provide advanced wound care dressings. These partnerships aim to ensure consistency across study arms and the use of best-in-class products for patient care.
Broader Pipeline and Market Opportunities
The development of EscharEx is part of MediWound's broader focus on non-surgical tissue repair, which includes their FDA and EMA-approved drug NexoBrid for eschar removal in burn injuries. The company is also preparing for a Phase III study for Venous Leg Ulcers in the second half of 2024 and a Phase II/III study targeting Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
Financial Health and Analyst Outlook
MediWound holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which could be crucial for funding its ongoing clinical trials and R&D efforts. Three analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, aligning with the company's progress in its clinical pipeline and potential market opportunities for EscharEx.
