Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing

Recruiting now · Phase 2 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Acute Standardized Cutaneous Wounds (Punch-biopsy Wounds)

In brief

This study will evaluate whether a topical gel containing GHK-Cu (a copper(II)-peptide complex) can safely speed up healing of small, standardized skin wounds in healthy adults compared with a matching vehicle gel. Participants will receive two small punch-biopsy wounds on the upper arm; each wound will be randomly assigned to receive GHK-Cu gel or vehicle gel under identical dressings. Wounds will be photographed and assessed over 3 weeks, with a follow-up visit to evaluate scar quality.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07437586

Run by

Hudson Biotech

People needed

60

Starts

2026-02-02

Expected to finish

2028-03-17

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-27

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18 to 55 years at screening.
• Healthy adult as determined by medical history and limited physical examination.
• Body mass index (BMI) 18.0 to 30.0 kg/m².
• Willing and able to comply with study visits and daily product application for 14 days.
• Willing to avoid applying non-study topical products (including medicated creams, retinoids, acids) to the wound area during the study period.
• For participants of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test at screening and agreement to use effective contraception through Day 21.

You may not qualify if…

• Known allergy or sensitivity to copper, peptides, gel excipients, adhesives, or dressings used in the study.
• History of abnormal wound healing, hypertrophic scarring, or keloid formation.
• Clinically significant dermatologic disease near the intended wound site (e.g., eczema, psoriasis, active infection).
• Diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, immunodeficiency, or other condition that may impair wound healing (investigator judgment).
• Use of systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or cytotoxic medications within 30 days prior to Day 0.
• Current smoker or nicotine use (including vaping) within the past 3 months.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Participation in another interventional clinical study within 30 days prior to screening.
• Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, would make participation unsafe or could interfere with study assessments.

Where it is running

• Peking University Shenzhen Hospital — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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