Steris Corporation Introduces Its Newest High-Performance Surgical Instrument Cleaning Formulation

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 18 May 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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STERIS Corporation has launched a versatile addition to its high-performance Prolystica line of instrument cleaning formulations. Prolystica Enzymatic Presoak and Cleaner is a premium 2-times concentrated dual-protease cleaner that provides exceptional, fast cleaning performance while still protecting expensive surgical instruments, devices and automated washers. Prolystica Enzymatic Presoak and Cleaner made its first formal appearance at the SGNA 35th Annual Course in Salt Lake City, Utah. This multi-purpose formulation is especially useful for cleaning endoscopes in the gastrointestinal (GI) suite.

"When we can help healthcare systems improve their GI, respiratory department and sterile processing department productivity by developing a single product that can be used across departments as a presoak, a manual cleaner and an automated washer chemistry, it's worth talking about," said Stephen Loes, vice president of marketing for STERIS Corporation. "But when that new formulation does the job quickly and extremely well, regardless of most water qualities and types, and protects the institutions' instrument investment at the same time, it's more than news - it's value."

One of the many ways to clean surgical soils such as proteins and lipids is with enzymatic agents. Some neutral enzymatic cleaners contain proteases that break down proteins, such as those in blood, and make them more soluble so they are easier to remove from surfaces. However, proteases have a tendency to degrade other enzymes, such as lipases, that are combined with them in multi-enzymatic formulations. For this reason, STERIS has chosen not to use a combination of different types of enzymes, but to blend two protease enzymes with surfactants in its Prolystica Enzymatic Presoak and Cleaner, to ensure superior activity and cleaning efficacy for all soil types. Surfactants are very useful ingredients in instrument chemistries and have an exceptional ability to emulsify fats if formulated properly.

Prolystica Enzymatic Presoak and Cleaner is the latest member of STERIS's premium Prolystica instrument cleaning and protection family. It is low-foaming, making it useful for both manual and automated processes, and its fast action can speed cleaning processes and improve reprocessing productivity. In spite of its power, this enzymatic cleaner was also formulated to minimize the damaging effects of water and protect instruments and washing systems. To see a video demonstration of Prolystica Enzymatic Presoak and Cleaner's speed compared to two other enzymatic products, please go to www.steris.com/healthcare/prolystica/prolysticamovie.cfm.

About STERIS

The mission of STERIS Corporation is to provide a healthier today and safer tomorrow through knowledgeable people and innovative infection prevention, decontamination and health science technologies, products and services. The Company's more than 5,000 dedicated employees around the world work together to supply a combination of equipment, consumables and services solutions to healthcare, pharmaceutical, industrial and government customers. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol STE.

This news release may contain statements concerning certain trends, expectations, forecasts, estimates, or other forward-looking information affecting or relating to the Company or its industry that are intended to qualify for the protections afforded "forward- looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other laws and regulations. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this report, and may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks," or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. Many important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, disruption of production or supplies, changes in market conditions, political events, pending or future claims or litigation, competitive factors, technology advances, and changes in government regulations or the application or interpretation thereof. Other risk factors are described in the Company's Form 10-K and other securities filings. Many of these important factors are outside STERIS's control. No assurances can be provided as to any future financial results. Unless legally required, the Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements even if events make clear that any projected results, express or implied, will not be realized. Other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, (a) the potential for increased pressure on pricing that leads to erosion of profit margins, (b) the possibility that market demand will not develop for new technologies, products or applications, or the Company's business initiatives will take longer, cost more or produce lower benefits than anticipated, (c) the possibility that application of or compliance with laws, court rulings, regulations, certifications or other requirements or standards may delay or prevent new product introductions, affect the production and marketing of existing products, or otherwise affect Company performance, results, or value, (d) the potential of international unrest or effects of fluctuations in currencies, tax assessments or rates, raw material costs, benefit or retirement plan costs, or other regulatory compliance costs, (e) the possibility of reduced demand, or reductions in the rate of growth in demand, for the Company's products and services, and (f) the possibility that product launch and other expenses may be greater or customer acceptance of the product may not be achieved, or that, labor, competition, timing, execution, regulatory, governmental, or other issues or risks associated with the matters described in this release may adversely impact Company performance, results, or value.