MediWound Announces Positive Results in Head-to-Head Comparison of EscharEx vs. SANTYL within the ChronEx Phase II Randomized Controlled Study

Results demonstrate superiority of EscharEx, a bromelain-based gel vs. SANTYL, a collagenase ointment, in wound debridement, promotion of granulation tissue, and time to wound closure in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers (VLU)

YAVNE, Israel, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediWound Ltd. (Nasdaq: MDWD), the global leader in next-generation enzymatic therapeutics for tissue repair today announced the results of head-to-head comparison analyses of EscharEx, the Company’s lead asset in development for chronic wounds, to collagenase SANTYL ointment, approved by the FDA for debriding chronic dermal ulcers. SANTYL is currently the market-leading enzymatic debridement product, with more than $360 million in estimated annual sales in the United States.

Results from the previously disclosed Phase II study (ChronEx) which evaluated the safety and efficacy of EscharEx, demonstrated the superiority of EscahrEx vs. a gel vehicle (placebo) and non-surgical standard of care (NSSOC), in achieving complete debridement of non-viable tissue and promotion of granulation tissue (healthy, highly vascularized tissue). The secondary analyses announced today assessed the incidence and time to complete debridement, complete granulation, and wound closure in patients treated with EscharEx (n=46) compared to a sub-group of patients who were treated with SANTYL (n=8).

Ofer Gonen, CEO of MediWound said, “These head-to-head results position EscharEx to become the market leader in enzymatic agents for the treatment of chronic wounds. Data from clinical studies show that EscharEx provides a multimodal mechanism of action for debridement and promotion of granulation tissue, as well as reduction of biofilm and bioburden. All are achieved within a short time frame to facilitate early wound closure, a major benefit for patients suffering from chronic non-healing wounds. With such promising Phase II data, we look forward to the upcoming Phase III trial, set to begin in the second half of 2024, as planned.”

Results highlights (EscharEx vs SANTYL)

• Baseline characteristics (age, gender, wound age, wound size) were comparable in both groups.
• The incidence of complete debridement during the daily treatment period (the first two weeks of the study) was 63.0% (95% CI=47.5-76.8) for EscharEx vs. 0% for SANTYL; p=0.001.
• The estimated median time to achieve complete debridement during the study was 9 days (95% CI=5-15 days) for EscharEx vs. not achieved for SANTYL (95% CI=22-Not Applicable); p=0.023.
• The incidence of achieving complete debridement and complete cover of the wound bed with granulation tissue (i.e., wound bed preparation, WBP) during the daily treatment period was 50.0% (95% CI = 34.9%-65.1%) for EscharEx vs. 0% for SANTYL; p=0.015.
• The incidence of achieving WBP throughout the study was 78.3% (95% CI = 63.6-89.1) for EscharEx vs. 37.5% for SANTYL (95% CI=8.5-75.5); p=0.03.
• The estimated median time to achieve WBP was 11 days (95% CI =7-50 days) for EscharEx vs. not achieved for SANTYL (95% CI=22-Not Applicable); p=0.014.
• 15 of the 46 patients (32.6%) treated with EscharEx completely closed their wounds during the study, compared to 2 out of 8 patients (25%) treated with SANTYL (NSS). In those patients who achieved complete wound closure, the average time to wound closure was 48.4 days (SD=23.5) for EscharEx vs. 76.0 days (SD=2.8) for SANTYL; p=0.05.
• Patient reported applicational pain was comparable in both groups.
• The safety profile and overall incidence of adverse wound reactions were comparable between arms.