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Drug

Chitosan

In clinical development
Emerging researchLate-stage developmentSteady momentum
RxNorm59038
8
Research papers
2
Active clinical trials
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Magnetically recoverable Fe3O4-chitosan/PVA hydrogel for photo-Fenton degradation of diazinon

Industry2026-07-24Nature — Environmental Sciences

Effect of composition ratio on chitosan-gum Arabic copolymers for methylene blue dye adsorption: comparative evaluation using a Box–Behnken model

Industry2026-07-23Nature — Environmental Sciences

Novel nano-reinforced chitosan derivatives for adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous media

Industry2026-07-21Nature — Environmental Sciences

Preparation and identification of chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles from crab byproducts

Industry2026-07-09Nature — Environmental Sciences

Clinical Assessment of Chitosan Nano-particles on Periodontal Problems Post Steroidal Inhalation in Asthmatic Patients: Phase I Trial

Clinical trial2025-03-01Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

Evaluation of the Effective Concentration of Chitosan Mouthwash on the Recurrence of Black Stains in Pediatric Patients. a Crossover Controlled Clinical Trial

Clinical trial2025-03-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Effect of Shockwaves on Fallopian Tubes Adhesion: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Clinical trial2025-02-28Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Comparative Assessment of Chitosan-Based Dressing, Ankaferd and Tranexamic Acid in Achieving Hemostasis and Healing Following Dental Extraction in Liver Pre-Transplant Children

Clinical trial2024-05-20Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

Triggerable Prodrug Nanocoating Enables On-Demand Activation of Microbial and Small-Molecular Therapeutics for Combination Treatment.

Research2023-11-21Journal of the American Chemical Society

Programmable probiotics modulate inflammation and gut microbiota for inflammatory bowel disease treatment after effective oral delivery.

Research2022-06-14Nature communications

A review of current advancements for wound healing: Biomaterial applications and medical devices.

Research2022-05-17Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials

Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan and Chitosan Derivatives in the Treatment of Enteric Infections.

Research2021-11-25Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Chitosan
RxNorm CUI
59038

Clinical trials

11 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
11
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2025
2
Active studies
2
Recruiting
7
Late-stage (III+)
6
Completed
3
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 11
Early Phase 11Phase 12Phase 1 / 21Phase 32Phase 41Phase N / A4

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Use of Chitosan Powder in Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure to Reduce Postoperative Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IVErzincan Military Hospitaln=1302024

Comparison of Oral Morphine Versus Nasal Ketamine Spray With Chitosan in Cancer Pain Outpatients

TerminatedPH IIIUniversity Hospital, Basel, Switzerlandn=112017

Efficacy of the Combination of Isosorbide Dinitrate Spray and Chitosan in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

CompletedPH IIIUniversity of Guadalajaran=682015

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Clinical Assessment of Chitosan Nano-particles on Periodontal Problems Post Steroidal Inhalation in Asthmatic Patients: Phase I Trial

CompletedPH IDeraya Universityn=202025

Comparative Assessment of Chitosan-Based Dressing, Ankaferd and Tranexamic Acid in Achieving Hemostasis and Healing Following Dental Extraction in Liver Pre-Transplant Children

CompletedPH IBritish University In Egyptn=392024

Use of Chitosan Powder in Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure to Reduce Postoperative Complications: A Randomized Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IVErzincan Military Hospitaln=1302024

Effectiveness of Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Chitosan Hydrogel in Modulation of Osseintegration Round Immediate Dental Implant Randomized Single Blind Control Study

CompletedN/AMinia Universityn=202024

The Anti-fungal Effect of Miconazol and Miconazol-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles in Diabetic Patients With Oral Candidiasis-Randomized Control Clinical Trial and Microbiological Analysis

CompletedPH IYasmine gamiln=802023

Efficacy of the Combination of Isosorbide Dinitrate Spray and Chitosan in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

CompletedPH IIIUniversity of Guadalajaran=682015

Research activity

8 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20182023
Most influential

Injectable antibacterial conductive nanocomposite cryogels with rapid shape recovery for noncompressible hemorrhage and wound healing.

Nature communications · 2018 · 657 cites

Chitosan Derivatives and Their Application in Biomedicine.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2020 · 440 cites

Chitosan as a Wound Dressing Starting Material: Antimicrobial Properties and Mode of Action.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2019 · 415 cites

Programmable probiotics modulate inflammation and gut microbiota for inflammatory bowel disease treatment after effective oral delivery.

Nature communications · 2022 · 397 cites

Advances in Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 · 252 cites

Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan and Chitosan Derivatives in the Treatment of Enteric Infections.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021 · 247 cites
Recent papers

Triggerable Prodrug Nanocoating Enables On-Demand Activation of Microbial and Small-Molecular Therapeutics for Combination Treatment.

Journal of the American Chemical Society · 2023 · 32 cites

Programmable probiotics modulate inflammation and gut microbiota for inflammatory bowel disease treatment after effective oral delivery.

Nature communications · 2022 · 397 cites

A review of current advancements for wound healing: Biomaterial applications and medical devices.

Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials · 2022 · 134 cites

Advances in Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2021 · 252 cites

Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan and Chitosan Derivatives in the Treatment of Enteric Infections.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021 · 247 cites

Chitosan Derivatives and Their Application in Biomedicine.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2020 · 440 cites
Major research themes8
Chitosan3Bandages1Escherichia coli Infections1Fibroins1Gastrointestinal Microbiome1Inflammatory Bowel Diseases1Nanoparticles1Probiotics1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • International journal of molecular sciences3
  • Nature communications2
  • Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials1
  • Journal of the American Chemical Society1
  • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)1
Leading researchers
  • Li Q2
  • Liu J2
  • Liu Y2
  • Aachmann FL1
  • Ali MA1
  • Chen L1
  • Chen Q1
  • Deng X1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Advanced Environmental Research Laboratories1
  • Centre for Bioengineering & Nanomedicine (Dunedin)1
  • Comenius University in Bratislava1
  • Engineering Research Center of Agricultural Microbiology Technology1
  • Frontier Institute of Science and Technology and State Key Laboratory for Mechanical Behavior of Materials1
  • Institute of Functional Nano & Soft Materials (FUNSOM)1

Related drugs

6 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Glycidyl methacrylate

Studied across 2 of the same disease areas as Chitosan in the shared literature.

2 shared diseases1 shared paper
Poloxamer

Studied across 2 of the same disease areas as Chitosan in the shared literature.

2 shared diseases1 shared paper
Hyaluronic Acid

Studied across the same disease area as Chitosan in the shared literature.

1 shared disease1 shared paper
Polyethylene Glycols

Frequently co-studied with Chitosan in the research literature.

1 shared paper
Polyvinyl Alcohol

Frequently co-studied with Chitosan in the research literature.

1 shared paper
Silver

Frequently co-studied with Chitosan in the research literature.

1 shared paper
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials