Phase 2a Multi-Center Prospective, Randomized Trial to Evaluate the Safety & Efficacy of Topical PEP-TISSEEL for Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)

A Phase 2a Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Topically Applied PEP-TISSEEL in Subjects With Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)

This is a Phase 2a Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study aimed to evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Topically Applied PEP-TISSEEL in Subjects with Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Diabetic Foot Ulcer
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: PEP (Purified Exosome Product) / TISSEEL

Detailed Description

The objective of this multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PEP-TISSEEL+ Standard of Care (SOC) compared to SOC only treatment in up to 60 subjects (30 subjects PEP-TISSEEL + SOC and 30 subjects SOC only), specifically for the treatment of their non-healing DFU.

Treatment for the PEP-TISSEEL+SOC arm is:

• PEP-TISSEEL
• Mepitel dressing followed by Tegaderm® (Mepilex can be used if subjects are allergic to Tegaderm)
• 3M Cavilon® (may be used on the borders prior to placing the Tegaderm or Mepilex)
• Padded 3-layer secondary outer layer dressing (Profore (Smith and Nephew (Memphis, TN)); and

• Offloaded with an offloading Controlled Ankle Movement (CAM) Boot (Foot Defender (Miami, FL) or Total Contact Cast (TCC))

  • Use of an alternate offloading device (e.g., Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW) boot, custom shoe, etc.) may be approved on a case-by-case basis

Treatment for the Standard of Care (SOC) only arm is:

• Fibracol
• Mepitel dressing followed by Tegaderm (Mepilex can be used if subjects are allergic to Tegaderm
• 3M Cavilon (may be used on the borders prior to placing the Tegaderm or Mepilex)
• Padded 3-layer secondary outer layer dressing (Profore (Smith and Nephew (Memphis, TN)) or equivalent); and

• Offloaded with an offloading CAM Boot (Foot Defender (Miami, FL) or TCC)

  • Use of an alternate offloading device (e.g., Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW) boot, custom shoe, etc.) may be approved on a case-by-case basis

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 59
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Ohio
    • Blue Ash, Ohio, United States, 45242
      • Professional Education & Research Institute (PERI)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females ≥ 18 years of age
2. Properly obtained written informed consent
3. Documented history of Type I or Type II Diabetes Mellitus, requiring oral and/or insulin replacement therapy
4. The index ulcer is classified as Wagner grade 1 ulcer and remains Wagner 1 Grade between Screening and Randomization/Baseline visit (Visit 1 through Visit 3)
5. These ulcers are superficial, full-thickness ulcers limited to the dermis, not extending to the subcutaneous tissue
6. Area of index ulcer must be between 1 cm2 to 15 cm2 post debridement at screening and baseline
7. The index ulcer must be located anatomically on the foot with ≥ 50% of the wound area below the medial or lateral malleolus
8. Presence of a persistent nonhealing DFU for at least 4 weeks from Randomization and not more than 1 year that has failed to respond to SOC at any point during this timeframe

9. Adequate vascular perfusion as evidenced by one of the following:

   1. Dorsal transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM/TcPO2) measurement of

      ≥ 40 mmHg within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2)

   2. Ankle Branchial Index (ABI) between 0.7 and 1.3 within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2) using the extremity on which the index ulcer is located
   3. Arterial Doppler ultrasound evaluating for biphasic or triphasic dorsalis pedis and/or posterior tibial vessels at the level of the ankle or a TBI (Toe Brachial Index) of > 0.6 is acceptable within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2)
10. The index ulcer has been offloaded with protocol defined offloading device during Screening (Run-In) period through Randomization/Baseline visit.

11. Must meet one of the following criteria:

    a. Female subjects of Non-Child-Bearing Potential defined as: i. Postmenopausal for at least 1 year (Subject verbal confirmation acceptable), or surgically sterilized (i.e., hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy more than 3 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2)), or ii. Bilateral tubal ligation more than 6 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2), or iii. Must have a negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at Visit 1 and not be breastfeeding prior to being administered with the study drug b. Male subjects of Non-Childbearing Potential are defined as those vasectomized subjects whose vasectomy was performed 6 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2) or those diagnosed as sterile by a physician c. Females and Males of Childbearing Potential who practice an acceptable method of contraception defined as the use of any form of hormonal contraceptive, a barrier method with spermicide, condoms, intrauterine device, or abstinence from sexual intercourse starting at least 60 days prior to Screening and continuing at least 30 days following the last treatment.

    Female will undergo a negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at Visit 1 and an additional urine test at Baseline/Randomization (Visit 3 or Day 0) and must not be breastfeeding prior to being administered with the study drug

12. Ability to comply with the study protocol as per investigator discretion

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Actively undergoing chemotherapy treatment (localized radiation treatment is allowed if it is not on the DFU wound site and in remission based on scans, bloodwork or some other kind of test, such as a breast biopsy or a bone marrow biopsy)
2. Ulceration with exposed tendon, capsule, or bone

3. Suspicion of bone or joint infection by clinical or other criteria as per STONEES criteria below:

   a. STONEES criteria for infection: i. size increase, ii. temperature elevation, iii. os (probe to bone) iv. new areas of breakdown v. exudative vi. erythema/edema vii. smell

4. Unable or unwilling to utilize the protocol defined offloading device
5. Subjects who have undergone endovascular or open revascularization of the index limb within the last 30 days from Screening.
6. Index ulcer has decreased in area by ≥ 30% between Screening (Visit 1) and Baseline visits
7. Any subject that is currently on/or requires oral, systemic or topical antibiotics, or is anticipated to require their use during the course of the study
8. Any subject that has vascular compromise requiring surgical intervention or has undergone vascular reconstruction or angioplasty less than 1 month prior to randomization. Any planned surgical procedures during the study participation
9. Serum Creatinine level > 3.0 mg/dL
10. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) >12%
11. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, GOT) and/or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT, GPT) >3x the upper limit of normal
12. Acute active Charcot foot
13. The location of the index ulcer is within 2 cm of any other ulcer
14. Any subject that would be unable to safely monitor the infection status of the index ulcer at home and return for scheduled visits
15. History of immunosuppression or taking immunosuppressive agents including systemic corticosteroids, except stable daily doses of 5 mg/day or less for chronic conditions for up to 5 days
16. Any subject with a life expectancy ≤ 6 months
17. Pregnancy, including a positive pregnancy test at Baseline, or lactation/breastfeeding at anytime
18. Use of investigational drugs or biologics within 28 days prior to screening (Visit 1 or 2)
19. History of a concurrent condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, would jeopardize the safety of the subject or compliance with the protocol
20. Known or suspected active abuse of alcohol, or non-prescription drugs
21. Participation in another interventional clinical study or study in the past 30 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2) or concurrent participation in another interventional clinical study
22. Subjects who have untreated Hep C
23. Subjects who are HIV positive
24. Subjects on anticoagulation that are not maintained within the International Normalized Ratio (INR) of > 3.0

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: PEP-TISSEEL+SOC; Treatment for the PEP-TISSEEL+SOC arm is: PEP-TISSEEL; Mepitel dressing followed by Tegaderm® (Mepilex can be used if subjects are allergic to Tegaderm); 3M Cavilon® (may be used on the borders prior to placing the Tegaderm or Mepilex); Padded 3-layer secondary outer layer dressing (Profore (Smith and Nephew (Memphis, TN)); and; Offloaded with an offloading Controlled Ankle Movement (CAM) Boot (Foot Defender (Miami, FL) or Total Contact Cast (TCC)) Use of an alternate offloading device (e.g., Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW) boot, custom shoe, etc.) may be approved on a case-by-case basis	Biological: PEP (Purified Exosome Product) / TISSEEL; PEP Drug Product is a lyophilized powder contained within a 10R glass vial. PEP Drug Product is a lyophilized powder derived from apheresed platelets in plasma. The powder cake weighs approximately 75 mg per vial. This protocol will evaluate 2 vials of PEP Drug Product delivered in 10 mL TISSEEL fibrin sealant (15mg/mL PEP-TISSEEL) for 12 weeks. TISSEEL is a fibrin sealant indicated as an adjunct to standard surgical techniques (such as suture and ligature) to prevent leakage from colonic anastomoses following the reversal of temporary colostomies; Other Names: Extracellular Vesicles
Sham Comparator: Standard of Care; Fibracol; Mepitel dressing followed by Tegaderm (Mepilex can be used if subjects are allergic to Tegaderm); 3M Cavilon (may be used on the borders prior to placing the Tegaderm or Mepilex ); Padded 3-layer secondary outer layer dressing (Profore (Smith and Nephew (Memphis, TN)) or equivalent); and; Offloaded with an offloading CAM Boot (Foot Defender (Miami, FL) or TCC); Use of an alternate offloading device (e.g., Charcot Restraint Orthotic Walker (CROW) boot, custom shoe, etc.) may be approved on a case-by-case basis	Biological: PEP (Purified Exosome Product) / TISSEEL; PEP Drug Product is a lyophilized powder contained within a 10R glass vial. PEP Drug Product is a lyophilized powder derived from apheresed platelets in plasma. The powder cake weighs approximately 75 mg per vial. This protocol will evaluate 2 vials of PEP Drug Product delivered in 10 mL TISSEEL fibrin sealant (15mg/mL PEP-TISSEEL) for 12 weeks. TISSEEL is a fibrin sealant indicated as an adjunct to standard surgical techniques (such as suture and ligature) to prevent leakage from colonic anastomoses following the reversal of temporary colostomies; Other Names: Extracellular Vesicles

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Wound Closure	Complete wound closure (wound healing) by 12 weeks (efficacy; landmark analysis)	12 weeks
Safety	Count dose limiting toxicity events (incidence of treatment-emergent adverse event)	6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percent Area Reduction of Wound at 12 Weeks	Percentage area reduction (PAR) at 12 weeks.	12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for Pain over 12 weeks	VAS pain (mean difference between baseline and 12 weeks) from 0 (No Pain) to 10 (Worst Possible Pain)	12 weeks
Semmes-Weinstein Score	Semmes-Weinstein score (mean difference between baseline and 12 weeks)	12 weeks
Wound-Q Scale	Wound-Q (domains: wound characteristics and health-related quality of life; mean difference between baseline and 12 weeks)	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Rion Inc.
• Collaborators: Professional Education and Research Institute

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Rion company website
• PERI company website

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 27, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 23, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 13, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): March 20, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 20, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 15, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Diabetic Foot Ulcer; Exosome; Foot Ulcer; Diabetic Foot; Extracellular Vesicle; Diabetic Wound
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Endocrine System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Angiopathies; Diabetes Complications; Skin Diseases; Skin Ulcer; Leg Ulcer; Diabetic Neuropathies; Foot Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer; Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins; Proteins; Blood Proteins; Fibrin; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive
• Other Study ID Numbers: PRO-00125

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: Yes
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No