Safety Study to Examine the Systemic Exposure of Granexin® Gel After Topical Application to Venous Leg Ulcers

1. Age 18 years or older

2. Diagnosis of venous leg ulcer(s), as clinically determined by the investigator by a positive venous reflux test (venous refilling <20 seconds) using Doppler ultrasound for at least 4 weeks prior to screening day, which have not adequately responded to conventional ulcer therapy.

3. Designated venous leg ulcer meets the following criteria at both the screening and baseline visits. If the patient has multiple ulcers, at least one ulcer must meet the following criteria at both the screening and baseline visits:

4. Ulcers that extend through the epidermis but not through the muscle, tendon, or bone (Stage II or III ulcers as defined by the IAET).

5. Female patients of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at screening and must agree to use hormonal contraceptive, intrauterine device, diaphragm with spermicide, condom with spermicide, or abstinence throughout until 2 weeks after the last administration of study drug

6. Signed informed consent

1. Decrease in size of the designated target ulcer(s) by ≥ 30% during the 7-day screening period

2. Cannot tolerate or comply with compression therapy.

3. An ulcer which shows signs of severe clinical infection, defined as pus oozing from the ulcer site

4. An ulcer positive for β-hemolytic streptococci upon culture

5. The ulcer has > 50% slough, significant necrotic tissue, bone, tendon, or capsule exposure or avascular ulcer beds

6. Is highly exuding (i.e. requires daily change of dressing)

7. Ankle brachial pressure index <0.65

8. Patients with active systemic infections

9. Patients with clinically significant medical conditions as determined by the investigator including renal, hepatic, hematologic, neurologic or immune disease. Examples include but are not limited to:

10. Presence of an active systemic or local cancer or tumor of any kind (with the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer)

11. Patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (with more than 20 persistently inflamed joints, or below lower normal limit blood albumin level, or evidence of bone and cartilage damage on x-ray, or inflammation in tissues other than joints) and other collagen vascular diseases.

12. Patients with active connective tissue disease

13. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids (>15 mg/day), or current immunosuppressive agents

14. Previous or current radiation therapy or likelihood to receive this therapy during study participation

15. Pregnant or nursing patients

16. Known prior inability or unavailability to complete required study visits during study participation

17. Significant peripheral edema as per investigator's discretion

18. A psychiatric condition (e.g., suicidal ideation) or chronic alcohol or drug abuse problem, determined from the patient's medical history, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose a threat to patient compliance

19. Use of a platelet-derived growth factor within 28 days before screening

20. Use of any investigational drug or therapy within 28 days before screening

21. Has any other factor which may, in the opinion of the investigator, compromise participation and/or follow-up in the study