Slovak scientific and research institute in cooperation with a Slovak university have developed a new honey preparation for the local treatment of long-term non-healing wounds and are looking for a licensee

Nowadays, the term “medical honey” is becoming increasingly known to the professional and also general public. Products or medical aids, which are based on such honey, are emerging on the world market. It is certified honey that can be used for therapeutic purposes, especially for the treatment of burn injuries and acute and chronic wounds. In addition to quality parameters, medicinal honeys have significant biological properties. Emphasis is placed especially on their antibacterial properties. Honey as a natural product is a source of trace elements, vitamins, amino acids and so on. A natural component of honey is also ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Although honey has certain antibiofilm properties, its effect is limited and dilution of honey may on the contrary induce stimulation of biofilm formation in the wound. For this reason, it is necessary to enrich honey with naturally occurring substances in honey, which have a biological effect without negative side effects, and to increase its effect against planktonic as well as biofilm-bound bacteria, in particular Gram-negative bacteria. Honey intended for direct clinical application must be sterilized, most often by means of ionizing radiation, which does not have a negative effect on the antibacterial or antibiofilm activity of honey. However, ionizing radiation can cause destruction or subsequent aggregation of proteins/peptides in honey. Destruction of proteins/peptides in honey can be prevented by the addition of specific protective substances, thus preserving its antibacterial capacity. A team of inventors from a Slovak scientific and research institute and a Slovak university has managed to substantially eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings by adding (in appropriate amounts) ascorbic acid to honey, which is usually used as an antioxidant or a means of lowering the pH. The addition of ascorbic acid to honey intended for medical use has increased its antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. In addition, ascorbic acid stabilizes biologically active substances of the peptides/proteins type against undesired degradation or aggregation during the sterilization process by ionizing radiation. The use of the preparation is expected primarily in wound healing management and ophthalmology, but also wherever it is necessary to locally eliminate bacterial infection. The proprietors of the technology are looking for an industrial partner for licensing the technology. More details described in the Partner Sought.