‘Pineapple’ treatment for burn wounds

by Gary Finnegan – Emerging uses of EMA Approved Drugs –

The CHMP has recommended the first medical treatment for the removal of eschar from severe burn wounds. The removal of eschar, the dried-out black necrotic tissue that covers severe burn wounds, is essential to initiate the wound healing process and prevent further complications such as infections.

The new treatment, NexoBrid is a pineapple-enzyme-based debriding agent and offers a new treatment option for burn wounds care management. The product is a concentrate of proteolytic enzymes enriched in bromelain, and is an orphan-designated medicine.

The active ingredients in the medicine are a mixture of enzymes extracted from the stem of the pineapple plant. It can be applied topically to a clean burn wound by professionals in specialised burns units and is shown to reduce the time it takes to clear eschar. This in turn reduces the need for surgery which is sometimes required when eschar cannot be removed from severe burn wounds.

The CHMP has called for a training programme to be rolled out to ensure the product is used correctly.