PROTECT

Dr. Hicks is the Canadian Lead Investigator and Chief Medical Officer for the PROTECT Study. This is an Australia-based, international, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine if pentoxifylline, can improve long term outcomes in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a serious gastrointestinal condition that affects premature babies. It causes inflammation in the intestinal tissue, leading it to die. In some cases, a hole may form in the baby's intestine. This may allow bacteria can leak into the abdomen or bloodstream, causing serious, life-threatening infection.

It is hypothesized that delivery of pentoxifylline, a hemorrheologic agent that improves blood flow, in NEC patients can significantly improve their outcomes (survival rates and long-term health status).

The PROTECT study began in Canada in 2017 and as of early 2020, research contracts are in place at 3 sites in Canada.