Recce Pharmaceuticals (ASX:RCE) has taken another significant step in strengthening its relationship with the United States military, announcing a second Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with a key U.S. government research institution.
The new agreement, signed with the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR), will focus on advancing Recce’s topical anti-infective treatment, RECCE 327 Gel, for the management of burn wound infections.
USAISR is widely regarded as the U.S. Army’s leading authority in combat casualty research and burn care.
Under the agreement, the institute will evaluate RECCE 327 Gel using its established Walker-Mason rat model, a preclinical system specifically designed to replicate battlefield burn injuries and the systemic infections that often follow them. The study will assess whether the gel can significantly reduce bacterial burden in infected burn wounds, with particular attention to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These are two of the most dangerous and persistent pathogens encountered in burn patients.
Burn wound infections remain one of the leading causes of mortality among patients with severe burns, both in military and civilian settings. Treatment has become increasingly challenging as antimicrobial resistance continues to undermine the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. Against this backdrop, Recce’s synthetic anti-infective platform has attracted growing interest for its potential to deliver rapid, broad-spectrum antimicrobial action without contributing to resistance development.
RECCE 327 Gel is being developed as an amorphous hydrogel wound dressing designed for practical frontline use. Its formulation is designed to be suitable not only for military field kits, where ease of application and reliability are critical, but also for hospital burn units and post-operative wound care. According to the company, the gel’s ability to maintain efficacy with repeated use and its low risk of inducing bacterial resistance distinguish it from existing therapies.
The agreement with USAISR builds on Recce’s earlier CRADA with the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), reinforcing the company’s growing collaboration with the U.S. Department of War in developing next-generation anti-infective solutions. Together with a recent U.S. Government grant award, the new partnership signals expanding institutional confidence in Recce’s technology across multiple operational and therapeutic contexts.
Commenting on the announcement, Recce Pharmaceuticals’ Chief Executive Officer, James Graham, said the company was proud to deepen its engagement with the U.S. Army. He noted that the ability to deliver RECCE 327 as a hydrogel dressing positions it as a uniquely practical solution for combat wound care, while also offering broader potential across military and civilian healthcare systems.