TECHNOLOGY:

Insense Ltd is developing new treatments initially focusing on the treatment of skin and nail conditions. Two therapeutic applications which are being targeted are plaque psoriasis and onychomychosis (fungal nail). Working with leading academics in the areas, Insense has two working technologies which are being further optimised to deliver easy-to-use formulations that are effective against the above conditions.

  • To treat plaque psoriasis, we are currently evaluating a novel amorphous gel formulation that has already produced some exciting results.
  • To treat onychomychosis, we are currently re-formating and optimising the active dual layer sheet hydrogel technology. 

A brief summary of the base technologies are discussed below:

1)  Active Dual Layer Technology:

The patented technology utilised within OXYZYME™ and IODOZYME™ is being re-optimised to align with the requirement for skin and nail applications, alongside new and novel technologies that can be used to treat serious skin diseases.

The Principles of the OXYZYME™ and IODOZYME™ Technology:

The OXYZYME™ and IODOZYME™ dressings incorporate an advanced biochemical system which produces a low level of hydrogen peroxide, to generate iodine within the dressing. The iodine helps to create an environment hostile to bacteria and favourable for healing, although the underlying cause of disease must also be treated. Typical frequency of dressing change is every 2-3 days.

The dressings use two hydrogel layers (primary and secondary) which are bought together at point of use to initiate the biochemical reaction. When the secondary gel, which contains glucose oxidase, is placed on the primary (wound contact) gel (see schematic below), glucose diffuses into the secondary gel and the enzyme uses it, plus oxygen from the air, to generate a low level of hydrogen peroxide:

   glucose      +   oxygen        →           gluconic acid   +   hydrogen peroxide
   C6H12O6          O2                               C6H12O7                      H2O2 

The hydrogen peroxide then diffuses into the primary (wound contact) gel, where it can react with iodide ions to produce either a low level of the antimicrobial agent iodine (OXYZYME™) or a significantly higher level (IODOZYME™) relative to OXYZYME™.

H2O2 + 2I-   →   2HO- + I2

The low level of iodine in OXYZYME™ helps create an antimicrobial environment within the dressing and at the wound interface. The relatively higher level in IODOZYME™ enables effective treatment of wound bed infections. Iodine is an effective antimicrobial agent widely used in wound care to treat, prevent and manage infection in wounds (see for example “Disinfectants, antiseptics and antibiotics”, T K Hunt, in “Iodine and Wound Physiology”, 1995, 2.1-2.6, Information Transfer Ltd, Cambridge, UK). The Oxyzyme dressing produces a peak surface concentration of iodine approximately 50x times lower than traditional “iodine dump” dressings, such as those based on povidone-iodine. However, the concentration of the iodine is sufficient to produce an environment hostile to bacteria at the surface of the dressing.

Anti-Microbial Efficiency:

In vitro antimicrobial efficacy testing at Insense and at external, independent laboratories has demonstrated the effectiveness of the OXYZYME™ and IODOZYME™ dressings at killing a number of wound pathogens (several as wound isolates) including:

  • Escherichia coli
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Staphylococcus aureus (plus methicillin resistant S. aureus, MRSA)
  • Staphylococcus epidermidis
  • Streptococcus pyogenes
  • vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)


Applications in Dermatology:

Insene Ltd is now re-engineering the dual layer technology into a forma that is both useable and effective for treatment of skin and nails. The iodine function is optional and variants of the technology are being developed without iodine present.


2)  Nitric Oxide Delivery:

Insense Ltd has developed a new and novel nitric oxide (NO) delivery system that is convenient and safe to use. Patents based on the technology are filed.

The format utilises a dual storage system in which the carriers are kept apart until use. The action of dispensing and mixing the  carriers activates the reagents to generate nitirc oxide within the patient and skin friendly gel. The simple reagents provide a sustained delivery of NO to the target site. NO is known to have multiple biological effects, many of which can be used to treat skin conditions and wounds. 

Formats currently being investigated include both amorphous gels and cream emulsions. Both offer the patient a soft and smooth application which can either be left in place and covered or rubbed into the skin.