Israeli Clinical Trial Seeks Patients for New Treatment of Chronic Venous Leg Ulcers

A new Israeli clinical study called VALUE is recruiting patients suffering from chronic venous leg ulcers to test the safety and efficacy of EscharEx, an innovative topical drug developed by MediWound. These ulcers, caused by poor venous blood flow typically between the ankle and knee, affect 1% to 2% of the adult population and often persist for months or years, causing pain, mobility issues, and risk of infection. The treatment aims to selectively remove damaged tissue from the wound through an enzymatic process called debridement, promoting healthy tissue growth and accelerating healing without surgery.

Professor Yossi Haik, head of plastic surgery and the national burn center at Sheba Medical Center, explained that EscharEx "revives" the wound to restart the healing process more precisely than existing treatments, which sometimes require surgical intervention. The drug has already shown promising results in three prior studies involving 131 patients with hard-to-heal wounds, including venous ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers, demonstrating rapid removal of necrotic tissue and encouraging new tissue growth with a favorable safety profile.

The VALUE study seeks participants aged 18 or older with venous leg ulcers present for at least four weeks but no longer than 18 months, and wound sizes between 2 and 25 square centimeters. Participants will receive expert medical monitoring, advanced dressings, personal support, and transportation to the clinic if needed. The study is conducted under international standards and approved by the Israeli Ministry of Health. Participation is voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any time without affecting regular medical care. Interested individuals can check eligibility and register via the study website or by calling 054-796-6000.