Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists Enrolling Patients With Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers for MATRIX Clin...( PHOENIX Feb. 25 /- Associated Foo...),Health

PHOENIX, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists today announced it is recruiting patients with foot ulcers due to diabetes to participate in the MATRIX clinical trial. The trial will study the effects of a new product, Excellarate, for the potential treatment of patients with non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. Excellarate is an investigational product designed to stimulate the process of wound healing.

The MATRIX trial is a randomized, double-blind safety and efficacy research study in which Excellarate is topically administered once or twice over the course of the study, with a goal of complete ulcer closure at 12 weeks or earlier.

"The Excellarate topical gel, using Gene Activated Matrix (GAM) technology is designed to provide release of the platelet-derived growth factor BB protein, which stimulates angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels) and granulation tissue formation, the building blocks for a variety of wound healing processes," stated Arthur J. Tallis, D.P.M., Podiatric Physician & Surgeon at Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists and a trial investigator.

There are currently more than 20 million Americans who have diabetes and this number is expected to double by the year 2030. Many diabetic patients suffer from peripheral neuropathy, or a loss of feeling in their feet, that puts them at increased risk of foot ulceration. Over 850,000 chronic diabetic ulcers are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Patients with non-healing ulcers are more susceptible to infections that may lead to amputation of the affected foot or leg.

Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists is among only 25 sites participating in the MATRIX trial. The trial is expected to enroll 210 patients nationwide. Prospective participants can contact Norma Ramos at Associated Foot & Ankle Specialists, Phoenix, Arizona, at 602-274-4100 for more information about the study and eligibility.