Partnership to Develop Sensors for Wound Infections

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

ECI Biotech, a developer of diagnostic sensors in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Systagenix, a medical device company specializing in wound care solutions based in the U.K., have agreed to produce sensors to improve the diagnosis and treatment of chronic wound infections. The agreement covers licensing and manufacturing of diagnostic wound sensors, which ECI Biotech says will let the company open a new manufacturing plant in Worcester.

ECI Biotech says its sensors solve bacterial detection problems medical staff face when confronted with wounds. Clinicians sometimes have trouble diagnosing chronic wounds that have underlying conditions such as redness and swelling. Traditional systems can take two to three days to get culture results from a clinical lab. Having a rapid point-of-care diagnostic will allow clinicians to improve care to their patients in less time.

The Boston Business Journal reports today that the new manufacturing facility planned as a result of the partnership will lead to the creation of 12 new jobs.