# A Compliant Superhydrophobic Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Bandage for the Prevention of Multidrug Resistant Wound Infections

> **NIH NIH R41** · SINGLETO2 THERAPEUTICS, LLC · 2024 · $300,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
The prevention of burn infections by multi-species multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is a
daunting challenge to clinicians. Antimicrobial treatment (e.g., minocycline or silver sulfadiazine
cream) and either a negative pressure device or gauze with an absorbent layer have been the
mainstays. However, evidence that these treatments prevent MDR infections is not conclusive,
and bacteria can develop resistance to these treatments. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
(aPDT) shows promise, but low selectivity in delivery of the photosensitizer (PS) to the wound
and the development of bacterial resistance to the PS are problematic. Thus, the field urgently
needs further advances in prevention of MDR infections in wounds.
We propose an innovative bandage that will prevent MDR infections in burn wounds. We have
developed a superhydrophobic-aPDT (SH-aPDT) dressing that delivers airborne singlet oxygen
which safely addresses these challenges. The device uses an advanced, micro-textured
superhydrophobic coating which minimizes direct contact between the dressing and the wound
and yet can deliver the airborne singlet oxygen in a highly controllable fashion. The gaseous
singlet oxygen kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria without introducing the PS,
or any other drug, into the wound. Separating the PS from the wound prevents bacterial species
from developing resistance to this treatment. We know from our work with a periodontal rat model,
that SH-aPDT kills harmful bacteria and promotes healing without harming mammalian cells. The
dressing is porous and flexible, allowing wound fluids to be effectively managed, while easily
conforming to the wound surface. A flexible red LED light source can be integrated into the
bandage to permit complete patient mobility suitable for extended hospital stays, or field use by
combat personnel.
The development of a SH-aPDT dressing for the delivery of airborne singlet oxygen would be a
major breakthrough for the prevention of burn infections. The objective of this proposal is to
optimize the dressing design and validate bandage efficacy using an ex vivo porcine skin burn
model as well as a murine Balb/c burn in vivo model.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10920772
- **Project number:** 1R41AI183969-01
- **Recipient organization:** SINGLETO2 THERAPEUTICS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** QianFeng Xu
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $300,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-04-12 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10920772

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10920772, A Compliant Superhydrophobic Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Bandage for the Prevention of Multidrug Resistant Wound Infections (1R41AI183969-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10920772. Licensed CC0.

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