Cytomedix to Distribute Wound-Care Agent

The worldwide manufacturing, sales, and distribution rights to a wound-healing agent called Procuren have been acquired by Cytomedix (Deerfield, IL, USA) from Curative Health Services (USA). Under the agreement, Cytomedix will purchase Curative's assets associated with Procuren operations, become the sole manufacturer of the product, and market Procuren and its own AuTolo-Gel wound-healing product outside the United States. Both products are for the treatment of nonhealing wounds.

AuTolo-Gel attempts to mimic the natural healing process. A doctor harvests a small quantity of platelets from a patient, using apheresis, and mixes them with other ingredients to form a soft gel. This gel is applied directly to a prepared wound surface and covered with a moist dressing, left in place for a week. The gel acts as a scab, delivering growth factors into the wound.

Procuren can be used in those cases where AuTolo-Gel is not appropriate. It requires only 150 ml of patient blood. The platelets are isolated and the therapeutic prepared, in a process similar to the preparation of AuTolo-Gel. The finished product is frozen and shipped back to the clinic and given to the patient. It is not immediately administered to the wound like AuTolo-Gel but can be applied by the patient at home during daily dressing changes.

"Today, we are a little closer to our goal of being the world leader in cellular therapy,” said James A Cour, president and CEO of Cytomedix. "This acquisition also adds a distribution channel and expansion platforms on which we will continue to build our business.”