Its accounting for about 8 million deaths each year. Mortality for severe sepsis is between 15% and 30% in high-income countries with high standard of care and > 50% in low-income countries. And with significant morbidity.
UK ICU
- Sepsis is a syndrome encompassing a spectrum of illness that ranges from minor signs and symptoms through to organ dysfunction and severe morbidity or death.
- The pathophysiology of sepsis arises largely from the excessive response of the host’s innate immune system to an infection.
- The signs and symptoms of sepsis are influenced by the virulence of the pathogen, the portal of entry, the susceptibility and response of the host, and the temporal evolution of the condition.
Gaea is working with a Swiss start up on a clinical investigation for a new therapeutic apheresis medical device for removal of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) from plasma, at the intensive care bedside. NETs are webs of extracellular DNA decorated with histones, myeloperoxidase, and elastase. Although NETs contribute to pathogen clearance, excessive NET formation promotes inflammation and tissue damage in sepsis.
Nigel Goodman, GaeaOU CEO:
“I began working in sepsis in 1991 and have worked in phase 3 trials in sepsis, shock and as CRO Gaea ran the largest phase 3 trial in ARDS. All such trials have failed to meet their primary endpoint. A common issue in sepsis syndrome for approaches that target one inflammatory cytokine is the heterogeneity of the population. So, we are happy to work with the approach of a new apheresis device in this most demanding clinical trial setting. Our experienced team, headquartered in Estonia, will be an excellent partner to the sponsor.”
