Eluciderm, Inc., a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on small molecule therapeutics for tissue healing, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ELU42 on June 30, 2025. The clearance enables the company to proceed with a Phase 1/2a open-label study evaluating the novel topical Wnt modulator in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
ELU42 is a small molecule Wnt modulator with bacteriostatic properties designed for treating chronic open wounds. The compound represents the first clinical candidate from Eluciderm's pipeline of Wnt signaling modulators, which the company developed around what it describes as a novel mechanistic approach to tissue healing and repair.
Clinical Trial Design and Timeline
The Phase 1/2a trial will evaluate ELU42 as a topical spray in 15 patients with Wagner 1 and 2 diabetic foot ulcers. The open-label study is scheduled to begin in the first week of August 2025 across three U.S. clinical sites. The trial will assess multiple clinical endpoints, including wound area reduction, closure rates, and safety metrics.
Eluciderm expects to report safety and efficacy results from this first-in-human study in Q4 2025. The data will serve as the foundation for a Phase 2 clinical trial planned for Q1 2026, with the company anticipating strong potential for a Breakthrough Therapy designation in early 2027.
Company Leadership Perspectives
"The FDA's IND clearance of ELU42 marks an exciting transition for Eluciderm from preclinical research to full clinical-stage company," said Daniel D. Holsworth, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Eluciderm. "ELU42 is the first in our pipeline of Wnt signaling modulators developed around a novel mechanistic approach to tissue healing and repair that we believe will shift the paradigm from simply managing patients' wounds to truly healing them."
John P. Delgado, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Eluciderm, emphasized the clinical significance of the milestone: "This first-in-human trial is a defining moment for Eluciderm. ELU42 has the potential to change the standard of care for patients worldwide who suffer from non-healing wounds and underscores our commitment to transforming wound care."
Broader Pipeline Applications
Beyond diabetic foot ulcers, Eluciderm's platform includes therapeutics designed to promote healing and regenerative repair across a wide variety of wound injuries. The company's pipeline encompasses treatments for third-degree burns, surgical incisions, elastic cartilage reconstructions, pulmonary fibrotic damage from environmental factors, and inflammatory skin diseases.
Based on favorable data from the National Cancer Institute's NCI-60 screening program, Eluciderm is also investigating oncological applications of their mechanistic methodology in early-stage research.
The San Diego-based company positions itself as pioneering topical small-molecule therapies that target the Wnt signaling pathway to awaken the body's innate healing capacity, with the goal of redefining wound healing and clinical outcomes.
