A Medical Device Daily

ImmuneRegen BioSciences (Scottsdale, Arizona) reported an agreement with BioCure (Cambridge, Massachusetts) to develop a wound-healing product.

BioCure will use ImmuneRegen's Homspera to develop a combination product composed of the potential wound-healing therapeutic Homspera and BioCure's GelSpray, a spray-on liquid bandage that has obtained FDA clearance.

"Homspera can directly enhance fibroblast growth," said Hal Siegel, PhD, ImmuneRegen's VP and chief scientific officer. "In addition, we have shown Homspera can stimulate blood-forming stem cells to produce white blood cell precursors, particularly, granulocytes and macrophages, which play a role in wound repair. This combination of enhanced fibroblast growth and increased immune system cells suggest a role for Homspera in improving wound and lesion healing."

According to the companies, the combination of Homspera with BioCure's wound dressing may provide a sterile wound-healing product in an easily applied spray-on configuration. BioCure's hydrogel technology is designed to allow the liquid bandage to be applied painlessly to hard-to-cover areas such as between fingers and toes or over joints. "The product conforms well to the wound and surrounding tissues, maintaining a moist environment that has been proven to accelerate healing," BioCure noted.

"This could drive significant partnering opportunities, as we believe wound-healing products remain in high demand," said Michael Wilhelm, ImmuneRegen president/CEO. "The potential combination could make an excellent product for our soldiers in the battlefield in addition to benefiting the public at large."

BioCure develops hydrogel technology for use throughout the human body.

ImmuneRegen is a development-stage biotechnology company focused on Homspera, an adult stem cell active compound that the company says can potentially regenerate and strengthen the immune system.

In other agreement news:

• Physicians Healthcare Management Group (Miami), a developer of health maintenance organizations, reported that Phyhealth Plan has signed an agreement with Advantica EyeCare (Clearwater, Florida) to provide comprehensive vision services for its Pilot HMO scheduled to be launched later this year.

• Premier Purchasing Partners (San Diego) said it has awarded a new contract for closed ventilation suction products to Kimberly-Clark (Dallas). The 17-month agreement will be terminate with agreements in the respiratory therapy portfolio, Premier said. Available to both acute-care and continuum-of-care markets, the agreement is effective June 1.