OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this cooperative research project is to develop a cotton-based chronic wound dressing for production and commercialization in collaboration Tissue Technologies LLC.  A non-funded cooperative agreement is currently being negotiated with TT.

 

APPROACH:

Previous patenting and licensing agreements with Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia and Tissue Technologies (Richmond, VA) have led to the discovery of a proprietary wound dressing for treatment of chronic wounds. Based on the co-invention ‘Protease-Lowering Wound Dressings’, United State Patent 6,627,785 a pilot scale process for production of the cotton-based chronic wound dressing will be developed at Southern Regional Research Center.  Finishing chemistry treatments of cotton gauze will be scaled up from a laboratory scale to a pilot scale level and will be made adaptable to textile mill production scale commercialization of the chronic wound dressing.  Tissue Technologies and the USDA are coordinating commercialization of the cotton-based chronic wound dressing through a United States-based textile company.

 

STATEMENT OF MUTUAL INTEREST:

 

Both parties are actively engaged in independent research projects, which involve both chronic wound research and design and preparation of cotton-based chronic wound dressings.  The scientists and physicians of Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia and Tissue Technologies are involved in wound healing research.  Scientists at Southern Regional Research Center, Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Unit, USDA, ARS have designed and prepared cotton-based wound dressings for treatment of chronic wounds that possess properties which may promote wound healing.  Together both parties have co-authored an issued patent entitled ‘Protease-Lowering Wound Dressings’. The parties agree that meeting the objectives of this project will strengthen and enhance ongoing research within the scope of this agreement.