Satisfied that Microcyn was effective and nontoxic, the institute tested the solution on patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

FORBES: Holy Water

The company recently won a contract with a US company for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

BBC: Fallen Angel rescued by investment

Patients are suffering because many areas do not have services in place to quickly deal with foot ulcers and infections.

BBC: Slow care leads to foot amputations

Another drug, from the African clawed frog, was rejected in 1999 by the FDA as a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"Sadly people with diabetes are at much greater risk of developing complications like foot ulcers, infections and nerve damage, " Diabetes UK clinical adviser Zoe Harrison said.

BBC: Feet showing superimposed computer image of bones

Another drug, from the African clawed frog, from GlaxoSmithkline and a small biotech company was rejected in 1999 by the FDA as a treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.

FORBES: The Genius Chemist And His Assault On Mutant Killer Bacteria

This is because ulcers can deteriorate extremely quickly and a matter of hours can make the difference between keeping a foot and losing it.

BBC: Slow care leads to foot amputations