New silver coated anti-microbial barrier dressing receives Canadian approval

NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals, a developer and manufacturer of medical products that fight infection and inflammation, and the Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew plc announced today that Health Canada granted marketing approval for Acticoat Flex barrier dressing for wounds that require up to seven days of sustained antimicrobial activity.

Acticoat Flex is a new addition to the Acticoat family of barrier dressings coated with NUCRYST's patented SILCRYST nanocrystalline silver technology.

"We are pleased that Health Canada has approved Acticoat Flex," said Thomas E. Gardner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NUCRYST. "This regulatory approval and the proposed launch by Smith & Nephew of Acticoat Flex is the latest result of the successful partnership between NUCRYST and Smith & Nephew to provide advanced antimicrobial protection to acute trauma and burn patients, as well as to patients with chronic wounds."

The Acticoat brand is a leader in the antimicrobial advanced wound care market. Acticoat Flex simplifies the dressing of wounds with its unique elastic conformable design that easily contours to surfaces, including difficult-to-protect articulating regions such as knee or elbow joints.

"We are very pleased with Acticoat Flex. It represents our commitment in supplying the correct tools for healthcare professionals, to help reduce the risk of Health Care Acquired Infection" commented Joe Woody, President of Smith & Nephew Wound Management. "This product launch is a key to our focus on Infection Management, one of the three focused elements of the Wound Management Global Business Unit strategy along with Exudate Management and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy."

Antimicrobial barrier dressings are used in the management of infection, a major cause of delays to the wound healing process. Acticoat dressings with NUCRYST's proprietary SILCRYST nanocrystalline silver coatings deliver rapid antimicrobial activity thereby providing an improved healing environment. Acticoat dressings are now sold by Smith & Nephew in over 30 countries and are used extensively for serious wounds and burns.