BlastX: An antimicrobial biofilm wound gel innovation

BlastX is an antimicrobial biofilm wound gel innovation recently launched in Australia and New Zealand. BlastX has been available for some time in the USA and is widely used in podiatry, surgical and armed forces medical services. In Australia and New Zealand, BlastX is available to medical professionals treating patients in healthcare facilities and is also available in any community pharmacy across Australia for continuation of care in the community. It is a thick white hydrogel for use in all types of full and partial thickness wounds including burns, surgical wounds, leg and foot ulcers, pressure injuries, skin tears and graft and donor sites.

In additional to providing moist wound healing, BlastX innovatively works on multiple pathways to provide antimicrobial action. BlastX destroys bacteria and fungi, deconstructs biofilm and defends against bacteria recolonisation. It has demonstrated broad spectrum efficacy against bacteria including MRSA and Klebsiella and fungi and has effect against pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus for up to five days.

The Xbio technology is a patented innovation developed by Australian company Next Science Technologies Pty Ltd and distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Oraderm Pharmaceuticals.

BlastX has dual action on genotypic and phenotypic pathways associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance, impacting functionality of both bacteria and biofilm resistance causing pathways. BlastX destroys bacteria cells by lysis and deconstructs the biofilm matrix, dismantling these communities of bacteria, and also preventing reformation of the biofilm.

BlastX ingredients act as a chelating agent, buffer, surfactant and moisture protectant. The chelating agent and buffer work to break the ionic and covalent bonds in the EPS (extra polymeric substance) structure of the biofilm. The metal ions are pulled into the gel and the biofilm structure collapses. The surfactant pulls the protein out of the bacteria cell wall and by osmosis the buffer enters the cell, causing the cell lysis. The pH of the gel is similar to that of the skin. BlastX also prevents the reformation of the biofilm by retaining the metal ions, required to reform the EPS structure, in the gel.

Miller (2015) demonstrated the effect of BlastX against Gram +ve and Gram -ve pathogens, showing the effect of BlastX to reduce bacteria and biofilm numbers, and inhibit bacterial growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

A recent study by Matthew Regulski (2023) assessed the antibiofilm capabilities of a number of wound care products in the market and found that BlastX was the only product to achieve a three times greater log reduction in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa of a mature biofilm. This study also demonstrated the ability of BlastX to prevent biofilm formation in addition to biofilm disruption capacity.

Topical antimicrobials that reduce the bacterial bioburden within a chronically-infected wound may have helpful or harmful effects on the healing process; research conducted by Bounds (2021) found that BlastX may enhance the healing process by lowering inflammation and allowing transition to the proliferative stage of wound healing by day three.

BlastX is simple to apply, visibly thick and white in colour. Following wound cleansing, BlastX is recommended to apply up to 3mm thick to the wound edge, cover with a dressing appropriate the patient’s skin condition and amount of exudate absorption required. It can be used in combination with NPWT and in highly exuding wounds. A small amount covers a large wound bed area, 1 mL covers 5 cm. It should not be used in combination with alginate dressings.

This novel antimicrobial agent, which is nontoxic and has a usefully long shelf life, shows promise as an effective agent for the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related infections (Miller 2015).

BlastX is available in single 7.5 mL tubes and 30 mL tubes from Symbion and Clifford Hallam.

For more information or education support please visit www.blastX.net.au.

^{Bounds, K., Colmer-Hamood, J. A., Myntti, M., Jeter, R. M. & Hamood, A. N 2021, ‘The influence of a biofilm-dispersing wound gel on the wound healing process’. International Wound Journal, Vol. 19, Iss. 3. < https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/iwj.13653>}

^{Miller, K.G., Tran, P.L., Haley Kruzek, C., Colmer-Hamood, J. A., Myntti, M. & Hamood, A. N 2014, ‘Next Science Wound Gel Technology, a Novel Agent That Inhibits Biofilm Development by Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Wound Pathogens’. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 58(6) <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4068445/>}

^{Regulski M, Myntti MF, James GA. Anti-Biofilm Efficacy of Commonly Used Wound Care Products in In Vitro Settings. Antibiotics. 2023; 12(3):536. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030536}