CT003 – A non-invasive, needle-free local anaesthetic gel for paediatric laceration repair
CT003 is a ready-to-use, sterile, needle-free local anaesthetic gel intended for application in open wounds in children undergoing laceration repair, for example prior to suturing in the emergency department.
Local anaesthetics in topical formulations are well established for numbing intact skin prior to procedures such as venous cannulation or blood sampling, and several products are approved for paediatric use. However, there is currently no approved local anaesthetic combination specifically designed for use in open wounds, which places distinct requirements on formulation, sterility, and tolerability.
In current clinical practice, cutaneous lacerations requiring suturing are most often treated with infiltration (injection) of local anaesthetic. To avoid needle-based administration particularly in children clinicians may use off-label compounded mixtures of local anaesthetics and adrenaline applied directly to the wound. While effective, these mixtures frequently cause a stinging sensation, limiting their acceptability and use in paediatric patients.
CT003 is designed to address this unmet need by providing a standardized formulation optimised for application in open wounds. By adjusting the composition and pH of the local anaesthetic and adrenaline combination, CT003 aims to provide effective anaesthesia without stinging. As a sterile, needle-free product, CT003 has the potential to improve the child’s experience, reduce procedure-related anxiety, and facilitate efficient laceration repair in the emergency department.
Cessatech has not yet communicated timelines for initiating the development of CT003.