PRINCETON, N.J., April 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences (OTC Bulletin Board: DSCI), a provider of advanced wound care products, today announced that the FDA has given clearance to another dressing in the MEDIHONEY(TM) product line. This dressing is the first 100% medical grade honey product cleared for use on burns and wounds by the FDA. The product is 100% Active Leptospermum Honey and comes in a 1oz tube with an easy-to-use applicator tip. The other dressings already cleared in the MEDIHONEY line are in calcium alginate and hydrocolloid formats. The calcium alginate dressing has been available since October 2007 and the hydrocolloid versions -- adhesive and non-adhesive -- will be available before the end of the 2nd quarter, 2008. The newly cleared tube version will also be available before the end of the 2nd quarter, 2008.
The new dressing has been shown to lower the pH level of wounds. Much recent attention has been focused on the effect of pH in wounds, and the research suggests that lowering the pH of a wound helps to create an optimal environment for healing. When wound pH is lowered, it has been shown that protease modulation and increased oxygen diffusion take place, both beneficial to hard-to-heal wounds.
Additionally, the dressing -- due to its high level of glucose and other sugars -- has been shown to promote a strong osmotic effect. This osmotic effect, drawing fluid from surrounding tissues, helps to constantly bathe and debride wounds.
Derma Sciences' CEO Edward J. Quilty said, "This is another important milestone for the MEDIHONEY product line. We expect the tube version to be one of the most popular in the line, due to its ease of use and versatility on a wide variety of wounds. Launch of this and the hydrocolloid dressings over the coming months will help increase our growing base of MEDIHONEY sales. Our current customers have been asking for this product, and we are confident it will expand MEDIHONEY sales."
About Derma Sciences
Derma Sciences is a global manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound-care products. Its key product, MEDIHONEY, is sold throughout the world by Derma Sciences and Comvita New Zealand -- the licensor of the patented honey-based technology -- and is the leading brand of honey-based dressings for the management of wounds and burns. The product has been shown to be effective in a variety of wounds and burns, and was recently the focus of two positive large-scale randomized controlled studies on leg ulcers. For more information about Derma Sciences, Inc., visit its home page on the Internet at http://www.dermasciences.com.
Forward-looking Statements
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SOURCE Derma Sciences
