Chronic wounds affect l-2% of the population and present a significant financial burden to healthcare authorities. In the UK alone it has been estimated to cost the NHS £1 billion per annum. This cost is expected to rise as both the incidence and prevalence of chronic wounds is increasing due to a growing elderly and obese population. The standard of care for the treatment of chronic wounds has moved from absorbent traditional dressings to more efficacious advanced products that offer better clinical outcomes. However, clinical studies with these active products have shown a variable outcome suggesting that all chronic wounds are not equal and that there are variances in the underlying biochemistry, which controls the healing process. We have analysed wound fluids from over 200 patients with chronic wounds to understand the pathophysiology and identify biochemical deficiencies in these wounds. Our results indicate that within a patient population there are two subgroups, those that respond well to our products and achieve complete wound closure, and those for whom our products are ineffective. By analysing the wound fluids from patients who responded and comparing with those that did not heal, we have identified that an excessive level of inflammation exists in the wound environment of non-healing patients. The objective of this project is to develop a new active therapy, which will address this defect, resulting in a higher number of wounds healed.