New device delivers antibiotics directly to wounds in dogs and horses

Photo: Volodymyr/Adobe Stock

Vetlen Advanced Veterinary Devices announced the creation of its new device for delivering antibiotic medication directly to infected surgical and wound sites in canine and equine patients is now available. The new drug delivery device—Vetlen Pouch—offers a new method for delivering daily localized, high-dose antibiotic therapy for treating infected wounds in dogs and horses, according to a news release.¹

“Other options for administering local antibiotic therapy to canine and equine patients are currently limited to antibiotic powders and antibiotic-loaded beads—both of which lose their effectiveness long before full healing has occurred,” Stephanie Morley, DVM, president of Vetlen, said in a company release.¹ “By contrast, Vetlen Pouch dispenses [the] antibiotic directly to the site of infection, delivering the right drug to the right place, for the right length of time. This enables patients to direct their energy toward healing both bone and soft tissues vs fighting infection, which promotes faster patient recovery.”

The Vetlen Pouch has a syringe-based replenishing system and was engineered for implantation at surgical or wound sites. It allows veterinarians to customize treatment based on the specific patient and pathogen being treated, according to Vetlen.¹ Moreover, the medication can be adjusted as needed given the antibiotic is replenished every day. Once the therapy is complete, the device can be removed, similar to a surgical drain.

One or more pouches can be placed in wound sites, and the device allows for continuous medication delivery for up to 30 days. Although the device has been tested for local antibiotic therapy, the pouch can also dispense other small molecule medications under 2,000 g/mol that are water-soluble and approved for intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, according to Vetlen.¹

According to the company, comprehensive preclinical trials were carried out with the device to support FDA submissions. One trial involved comparing the Vetlen Pouch to systemic antibiotics and antibiotic-loaded beads for treating long bone open fractures in sheep infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.¹ “The pouches provided superior clinical results with study animals exhibiting healthier suture lines, improved bone outcomes, improved subdermal tissues, and significantly less bioburden,” wrote Vetlen in a new release.¹

Potential use for humans

The device, which was developed by Vetlen’s health sciences parent company, Purgo Scientific, is initially being launched for veterinary use. However, there are plans for a human health version to follow.¹

Moreover, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted a breakthrough device designation to the parent technology.¹ According to Vetlen, the recognition came as the device holds potential to address a significant unmet need in the treatment of difficult open fracture-related infections complicated by biofilms.¹

“We are excited to offer this kind of technology first in the veterinary market,” remarked Morley in a company statement.¹ “We believe our breakthrough local antibiotic delivery technology will dramatically improve wound healing in veterinary medicine.” 

Veterinarians can now acquire 1 free Vetlen pouch for a limited time to gain clinical experience and understand the device’s potential, the company stated.¹ Additionally, the product can be purchased from the company website.

Reference

1. Innovative device for wound infection management now available for equine & canine patients. News release. Vetlen. October 8, 2024. Accessed October 29, 2024. [email]