Smith & Nephew Announces Launch of ACTICOAT Flex Wound Care Products in the USA

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew Inc Advanced Wound Management division, announced the U.S. launch of ACTICOAT(TM) Flex 3 and ACTICOAT(TM) Flex 7, to expand the ACTICOAT portfolio. ACTICOAT Flex products have been designed to support physicians dealing with wounds and injuries at high risk of infection. Utilizing the unique Silcryst nanocrystalline silver technology of ACTICOAT, the Flex line provides enhanced conformability on awkward anatomical areas such as face and hands and breakthrough stretch properties to improve patient comfort during wear. ACTICOAT Flex wound care products were recently cleared for market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Both ACTICOAT Flex 3 and ACTICOAT Flex 7 were cleared for use by Health Canada in late 2008. Dr. Sarvesh Logsetty, MD, FRCSC, FACS, Director of Manitoba Firefighters Burn Unit and Associate Professor, Plastic & General Surgery at the University of Manitoba commented on the product's excellent performance characteristics. "ACTICOAT Flex is a natural addition to the brand of dressings I trust when treating patients with wounds highly susceptible to infection. These dressings are preferable when treating wounds in areas of the body that require a high level of conformability, and when it is important to minimize trauma to the wound when removing the dressing," stated Dr. Logsetty. "The Flex dressing allows exudate to pass through, which is a great advantage," he explained.

"Combining the flexibility of the polyester mesh substrate with the proven effectiveness of ACTICOAT's nanocrystalline silver technology is an exciting and significant development for the ACTICOAT brand. The ACTICOAT Flex range of dressings is the result of listening to health care providers and understanding their needs when dealing with wounds in hard to dress areas, especially when risk of infection is high. The feedback from Canadian practitioners has been overwhelmingly positive, allowing them to successfully manage complex soft tissue injuries," said Tom Dugan, President of North America Wound Management.

"We are delighted with ACTICOAT Flex wound products. It represents our commitment to the supply of credible solutions to address clinicians' ongoing concerns," commented Roger Teasdale, President of Smith & Nephew Wound Management. "This product introduction is key to our focus on Infection Management, which along with Exudate Management and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, comprise our three focused elements of the Wound Management strategy."

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(TM) Trademark of Smith & Nephew Trademark of Nucryst Pharmaceuticals About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2008 were nearly $3.8 billion.

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