Two Aussie pharmacists from Melbourne have invented a TGA approved solution to a debilitating condition that affects one in five Australian. Painful mouth ulcers can now be treated for the first time ever with a bandaid-like patch that reacts with saliva in the mouth and protects the ulcer while it heals.
Pharmacists Abdul Azzam and Nael Karim’s invention was fast tracked when the sister of their business partner, Omar Sukkar, succumbed to an autoimmune condition that gave her debilitating mouth ulcers. Sukkar pressed them to find a solution to alleviate her suffering.
After recognising the lack of effective long-term treatment options available, the trio created a patch that can withstand moist environments for 24 hours.
To obtain TGA approval, the innovative patch, UlcerEze, had to demonstrate its effectiveness in promoting the speedy recovery of mouth ulcers.
“Our Australian-first patch provides prolonged soothing relief, acting as a protective barrier to avoid further aggravating the ulcer. Other treatments are in the form of gels or creams that work by numbing the pain only,” Sukkar said.
“These solutions are problematic—they only stay on the affected area for less than five seconds because saliva washes them away. Saliva is one of the key issues as it doesn’t allow the mouth ulcer to heal and causes pain when in contact with the inflamed skin.
“The genius of UlcerEze is it comes in a patch form that is activated by that very same saliva, forming a barrier that prevents the exposure to saliva and air which makes mouth ulcers so painful.”
UlcerEze uses three active ingredients that are all naturally derived: silicon, which is one of the best healers for wounds, and calcium and phosphorus, which act as anti-inflammatories and help the mucous membrane heal faster. The patch form allows the natural active ingredients to be in contact with the affected area for a prolonged period, making it work much quicker than any other products on the market.
