Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: The overall incidence of burns in current military operations has nearly doubled during th

Description

The overall incidence of burns in current military operations has nearly doubled during the past few years and this type of injury remains a common component of armed conflicts. To address the need for prevention of scar contracture following burns, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Control of Scar Contracture After Burn injury (SCAB) topical formulation. The SCAB is designed for application to burn-injured tissue after debridement during the critical initial stages of wound healing. Inhibition of contracture by SCAB is done by (1) stimulating the cells, thereby enhancing healing, and (2) controlling the stability of the collagen network. This dual action of the SCAB formulation on the cellular component and on the extracellular matrix constitutes the main innovation of the proposed solution. As a result, the SCAB formulation offers a safe and efficacious biomodulator of scar contracture supplied in a pharmaceutical delivery medium. In Phase I, POC will develop the SCAB formulation and demonstrate its efficacy in vitro and in a pilot animal study, validating the therapeutic effect of and setting the foundation for the formulation of the final product. In Phase II, further therapeutic efficacy characterization of SCAB will be performed with detailed animal studies.