Cytomedix to Distribute Wound-Care Agent

Under the agreement, Cytomedix will purchase Curative's assets associated with Procuren operations, become the sole manufacturer of the product, and market Procuren and its own AuTolo-Gel wound-healing product outside the United States. Both products are for the treatment of nonhealing wounds.

AuTolo-Gel attempts to mimic the natural healing process. A doctor harvests a small quantity of platelets from a patient, using apheresis, and mixes them with other ingredients to form a soft gel. This gel is applied directly to a prepared wound surface and covered with a moist dressing, left in place for a week. The gel acts as a scab, delivering growth factors into the wound.

Procuren can be used in those cases where AuTolo-Gel is not appropriate. It requires only 150 ml of patient blood. The platelets are isolated and the therapeutic prepared, in a process similar to the preparation of AuTolo-Gel. The finished product is frozen and shipped back to the clinic and given to the patient. It is not immediately administered to the wound like AuTolo-Gel but can be applied by the patient at home during daily dressing changes.

"Today, we are a little closer to our goal of being the world leader in cellular therapy,” said James A Cour, president and CEO of Cytomedix. "This acquisition also adds a distribution channel and expansion platforms on which we will continue to build our business.”