Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance in Chronic Wounds
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global issue that complicates the management of chronic wounds. While resistance in bacteria is a natural, evolutionary process, the misuse of antibiotics over decades —such as their inappropriate use in treating viral infections and overuse in intensive food animal production—has driven the rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. These MDR strains, resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobial drugs, pose a significant barrier to clinically and cost-effective chronic wound care and patient health.
Chronic wounds are wounds that fail to proceed through the normal stages of healing and remain open and unhealed for an extended period, usually defined as more than 3 months (Werdin et al., 2024). These wounds are typically stuck in the inflammatory phase of healing and are unable to progress to tissue formation.
Chronic wounds are highly susceptible to infection, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicates treatment, particularly due to the prevalence of biofilm-forming pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that shield bacteria from both immune response and antibiotics. The frequent, repeated use of antibiotics in chronic wound care increases AMR, limiting treatment options and leading to recurrent infections and poorer patient outcomes. Globally, chronic wounds with resistant infections result in prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and in severe cases, amputations, especially in diabetic patients.
The global wound dressing market was estimated at US$ 14 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 18 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period.
Key drivers of growth are ageing populations, increasing rates of traumatic injuries – particularly from road traffic accidents and increasing numbers of surgical interventions leading to post-operative wound infections.
The USA holds the largest market share which is estimated at 45% with China and the Asia-Pacific region delivering the fastest growth.
Key Concerns:
Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria (AMR)
AMR bacteria are increasingly prevalent in chronic wounds, making infections difficult to treat with the current range of approved antibiotics, prolonging the healing process, increasing healthcare costs and reducing patients’ quality of life.
Challenges in Wound Management
Chronic wounds, including diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, and venous ulcers, are particularly vulnerable to infection by AMR bacteria. The presence of these bacteria complicates treatment protocols, increases the risk of complications and the risk of infection to other patients and healthcare workers.
Need for Innovative Solutions
The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the urgent need for new antimicrobials to address priority pathogens, including those involved in wound infections. Current treatments often fall short in managing resistant bacteria, underscoring the urgent need for alternative solutions.
Our Response
At ChainPeptides Oy, we are addressing these challenges using our proprietary Chain Peptide technology platform. Our antimicrobial peptides are proven to kill antimicrobial resistant bacteria at low concentrations and we are developing innovative products for use in the treatment of chronic wounds.
Chain Peptides are fully synthetic, short-chain peptides that are engineered to withstand proteolytic degradation, pH, temperature tolerance, and salinity. They have demonstrated efficacy against a broad spectrum of pathogenic bacteria, including the challenging ESKAPE (Miller and Arias) pathogens, known for their high resistance to conventional treatments.
Our commitment is to develop and deliver advanced antimicrobial solutions that enhance chronic wound care and combat the spread of AMR infections. Through rigorous research, testing and product development programs, we aim to provide effective, innovative treatments that address the unmet clinical needs of chronic wound management.
Our mission is to advance chronic wound care through the development of innovative antimicrobial solutions using our proprietary Chain Peptides. We are dedicated to harnessing the unique properties of these peptides to target and combat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria commonly found in chronic wounds
We aspire to create a future in which patients recover from infections, disease and injuries without contracting new bacterial infections via medical devices while undergoing medical treatments – to overcome multidrug resistance.
ChainPeptides Oy was established in December 2022 by Tejesvi Mysore and a team of experienced industry professionals to bring to market innovative and potent solutions for chronic wound care. These solutions are centred around the use of antimicrobial “chain peptides” for medical devices.
We are engaging with industrial and academic partners and seeking seed round investors to join the ChainPeptides Oy journey.
Adjunct Professor Turned Startup Enthusiast with industry expertise.
tejesvi.mysore@chainpeptides.com
Healthcare & Life Science Industry Consultant and Board Member.
mark.bloomfield@chainpeptides.com
Transitioned Executive from Pharma to MedTech.
lionel.hadjadjeba@chainpeptides.com
Biotech Executive and Biopharmaceuticals Expert.
ruediger.jankowsky@chainpeptides.com
Addressing the Complexities of Chronic Wound Care
Chronic wounds represent a significant and growing challenge in modern healthcare. Unlike acute wounds, chronic wounds persist over time and often fail to heal due to various underlying factors. The complexity of managing these wounds is often compounded by the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, which further complicates treatment and prolongs recovery.
The rise of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria has made treating infections in chronic wounds increasingly difficult. Approved antibiotics are often ineffective against these resistant strains, leading to prolonged infections, surgical interventions and delayed healing. Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and venous ulcers, can persist for months or even years. The slow healing process not only affects the quality of life for patients but also increases healthcare costs and resource utilization. Chronic wounds are highly susceptible to infections, which can further impede healing and lead to serious complications. Effective infection control is crucial to prevent the spread of pathogens and ensure successful treatment outcomes. Despite aseptic techniques and disinfection protocols, the presence and treatment of patients with wounds infected with AMR bacteria in healthcare facilities can lead to the spread of infection to other patients and staff.
Current treatment options for chronic wounds often fall short in addressing the multifaceted nature of these conditions. Many treatments are not tailored to combat resistant bacteria or promote optimal wound healing. The persistent nature of chronic wounds can significantly impact patients' quality of life, leading to pain, reduced mobility, and psychological distress. Finding effective solutions to improve healing outcomes is essential for enhancing overall well-being. At ChainPeptides Oy, we recognize these challenges and are committed to addressing them through innovative research and development. By focusing on antimicrobial peptides and their potential to combat resistant bacteria, we aim to provide new hope for effective chronic wound care. Our ongoing research is dedicated to overcoming these obstacles and advancing the future of wound management.
ChainPeptides Oy has developed a family of novel antimicrobial peptides for chronic wound care and to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance. To increase the safety of medical treatments, we are creating new and better antimicrobial technology.
Chain peptides have been proven to be highly effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in in-vitro experiments. ChainPeptides Oy has identified potentially valuable use of the technology within the antimicrobial gram-negative space.
ChainPeptide Oy holds a comprehensive suite of granted patents covering the utilisation of three different broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides for, amongst other uses, the prevention of microbial growth. The patents are granted in the USA, several EU countries, Japan, China and India.
If you are interested in collaborating with ChainPeptides Oy to develop applications for chain peptides or would like to know more about licensing options, please contact Tejesvi Mysore (tejesvi.mysore@chainpeptides.com) for more information or for an initial discussion.
Werdin, Frank et al. 2024. Chronic wound care. The Lancet, Volume 372, Issue 9653, 1860 – 1862
WHO publishes list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed. https://www.who.int/news/item/27-02-2017-who-publishes-list-of-bacteria-for-which-new-antibiotics-are-urgently-needed. Accessed 16 Mar 2023.
Miller, W.R., Arias, C.A. ESKAPE pathogens: antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, clinical impact and therapeutics. Nat Rev Microbiol22, 598–616
ChainPeptides has developed a peptide-based antimicrobial technology that is effective against a wide spectrum of microorganisms. It can be used in medical devices to minimize the incidence and severity of wound care. By using our chain peptide-based technology in their medical devices, manufacturers will be able to offer products with cutting-edge qualities to address microbial infections, particularly those triggered by antibiotic-resistant strains. In-vitro tests on our main product have produced exciting and encouraging results.
Reduced use of antibiotic drugs
Decrease in morbidity and mortality
Decreased number of days of hospital stay
Lower financial burden on healthcare resources
Improved quality of life of the patients
