Chimectin: a first-in-class jelly-like fibronectin treatment to heal xylazine-related skin wounds
Official title: Chimectin as a novel wound biologic for xylazine-induced tissue injury
Funded at Edi Therapeutics LLC · NIH-11239737 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new topical therapy called Chimectin could speed up healing of painful skin wounds caused by xylazine, a contaminant in illicit opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edi Therapeutics LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $274,219 |
| NIH project number | 1R41DA064269-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11239737 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with chronic, non-healing skin wounds related to xylazine exposure or similar ischemic skin injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without chronic wounds or with non-ischemic injuries may not benefit from this topical therapy.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one have skin ulcers from xylazine exposure, this project tests Chimectin, a recombinant fibronectin fragment, in a cream-like form applied to the skin. It builds on early studies showing Chimectin can promote blood vessel growth and faster wound healing in animal models. The study will optimize the formulation, test different concentrations, and use preclinical models that simulate ischemic skin injury to mirror xylazine-induced damage. The goal is to create a safe, effective treatment that could move toward human trials for chronic skin wounds tied to this problem.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Chimectin could shorten healing time and reduce complications for patients with xylazine-induced skin injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data showed Chimectin accelerated wound healing in diabetic mice, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Edi Therapeutics LLC
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Martin — Edi Therapeutics LLC
- Study coordinator: Graham, Martin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.