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Dr. Zasloff will discuss recent discoveries in innate immunity thatexplain the role of antimicrobial peptides in protecting human skin frominfection. In this context, he will discuss the rationale for the developmentof a topical antimicrobial peptide for the treatment of infected diabetic footulcers. This condition remains a leading complication of diabetes, resultingin thousands of lower limb amputations yearly. In the mid-1990's, Dr. Zasloffalong with other colleagues, developed a topical antimicrobial peptide calledpexiganan for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Pexiganan, currentlybeing developed by MacroChem, has been evaluated in over 1000 diabeticpatients and has already completed two Phase III clinical trials.
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According to Dr. Zasloff, "Pexiganan is a topically administeredantimicrobial peptide with a broad spectrum of activity, and we believerepresents a rational treatment for diabetes patients with mildly infectedfoot ulcers. Pexiganan, like other antimicrobial peptides, has a very lowpotential for development of antimicrobial resistance, a problem associatedwith conventional agents and of particular concern in the long term managementof the diabetic patient. The local application of pexiganan mimics thenatural processes that appear to fail in the setting of diabetes."
Robert J. DeLuccia, MacroChem's Chairman said, "Dr. Zasloff's presentationbrings further attention to the enormous and growing worldwide problem ofdiabetes and its complications such as infected foot ulcers. Diabetic footulcers are a major concern and burden to the approximately 20 milliondiabetics in the US alone, as well as the healthcare system. Additionally,there are currently no other topical antimicrobials proven to be effective intreating diabetic foot infections. Accordingly, we believe that pexiganancould fill an important unmet medical need and provide a significantcommercial opportunity for our Company in an addressable market of millions ofdiabetic foot infections annually, which translates to a potential estimatedone-half billion dollar market in just the US." He further stated, "Sincepresenting the results of the two Phase III clinical trials with pexigananthis past March at the Diabetic Global Foot Convention in Los Angeles, we havereceived increasing interest to this development program from the medicalcommunity as well as from industry."
About the American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association provides professional educationactivities and courses that focus on the latest in basic and clinicalresearch. These activities offer educational opportunities, as well as thechance to network with colleagues. They are designed to reach a wide audienceof health care providers including diabetologists, researchers, physicians,nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, and podiatrists as well asinternational physicians and researchers. The mission of the Association isto prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affectedby diabetes. To fulfill this mission, the American Diabetes Association fundsresearch, publishes scientific findings, provides information and otherservices to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals and thepublic. The Association is also actively involved in advocating for scienti
