Woundchek Laboratories has received market clearance from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration for its Protease Status point of care diagnostic product to treat chronic wounds.
The product will detect a chronic inflammatory response in the wound, which is indicated by elevated human protease activity (EPA).
The company has appointed Intermed Medical to distribute Protease Status product in Australia and New Zealand.
The product is already available in Europe, Canada and South Africa.
Woundchek is also currently carrying out a clinical trial with the new point of care test to detect when bacteria in the wound will become pathogenic, which is indicated by bacterial protease activity (BPA).
According to the company, the test will help identify wounds in which bacteria may be delaying healing, which could assist clinicians in determining when interventions to reduce bacterial burden are indicated, particularly in chronic wounds with no obvious signs of infection.
Woundchek Laboratories CEO Jack Wilkens said: “We are delighted with the news that our first product has been cleared for sale in Australia and will be distributed by Intermed Medical Pty Ltd, a company with a strong track record in marketing innovative wound care products.
“Currently, the global cost of ineffective treatment is estimated to be $20-25 billion annually. Our vision is to provide clinicians with accurate, timely, actionable, and easy to access information, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and more cost effective care through point of care wound diagnostics.”