Imbed Biosciences Advances DualGuard Clinical Trials for Wound Care

DualGuard™ represents a shift in antimicrobial wound management by pairing silver with gallium within a synthetic, resorbable matrix. While silver is a common component in wound care, the addition of gallium provides a secondary mechanism that disrupts iron-dependent bacterial metabolism. By mimicking ferric iron, gallium forces bacteria to ingest a substance that prevents vital redox cycling, effectively starving the microorganisms. Preclinical testing demonstrated significant reductions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, providing the foundation for current human trials.

Following the March 2025 Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval, the clinical study will enroll 53 subjects. The trial employs a randomized, split-wound design where donor sites are divided to compare the DualGuard™ matrix against control dressings directly within the same patient. Beyond safety and tolerability, researchers will track complete wound closure rates at 14 and 28 days. This research is supported by Small Business Innovation Research grants from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and a contract from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, highlighting the technology's potential for both civilian and military applications.