DTMT Network

A scientist from IIT-Kanpur has developed an advanced wound dressing material based on agarose, a natural polymer derived from seaweed agar, for the treatment of infected diabetic wounds and patients suffering from chronic wounds.

The biodegradable, non-immunogenic wound dressing was developed from sustainable source intervention has been developed by Dr Vivek Verma by adding several additive molecules like iodine and citric acid.

He said that the dressing has potential to be converted into a commercial product for advanced wound care, and it can provide an active bandage for treatment and management of chronic wounds at competitive cost.

“The advanced wound dressing market in India is largely monopolised by foreign companies. This indigenous dressing will not only allow cost-effective dressings for chronic wounds but also will pave the way for business incubation,” added Dr Verma.

The dressing may be used as a single layer, bilayer, or multi-layered hydrogel films depending on the severity and type of wound.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the role of addition of several active molecules like sericin, iodine, and citric acid to this novel wound dressing has been evaluated along with agar in terms of their healing and containment property with regards to chronic wounds.

The invention, in particular, provides agar dressing films for the treatment of infected diabetic wounds.

“The developed intervention is in the third stage of the Technology Readiness Level. At present, the dressing has been tested on rat model with a small-sized circular wound of diameter 5 mm with single layer dressing incorporated with only one active ingredient,” said the ministry.

“The next step would be to test its efficacy in the treatment of large wounds in big animals like rabbits or pigs,” the ministry added.