Advanced Wound Management, European Approval For ACTICOAT Moisture Control, Smith & Nephew Announce

Main Category: MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 30 Jan 2006 - 21:00 PDT

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Smith & Nephew's (NYSE:SNN; LSE: SN) Advanced Wound Management division, announced today that it has received the European Design Examination Certificate for its Advanced Wound Management product ACTICOAT* Moisture Control.

Currently available in the US and Canada, ACTICOAT Moisture Control will be introduced across Europe from 1 March 2006.

The latest addition to the Smith & Nephew portfolio, ACTICOAT Moisture Control is an absorbent antimicrobial dressing, which offers the bactericidal protection synonymous with ACTICOAT & SILCRYST™ nanocrystalline† silver, in a highly absorbent, easy to use format.

"We are delighted that ACTICOAT Moisture Control is now approved for sale in Europe" said Emma-Jayne Craig International Brand Manager, Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management. "Introducing the product into these additional markets will provide our customers with an exciting new option for managing their patients' wounds, which are at risk of the complications associated with infection."

Antimicrobial barrier dressings are used in the management of infection, a major cause of delays to the wound healing process. An outbreak of wound infection can lead to increased nursing time; extended hospital stays, increasing healthcare costs, as well as affecting patient quality of life.

"ACTICOAT Moisture Control dressings combine the antimicrobial benefits of nanocrystalline silver with a moisture- balancing absorbent foam. In our experience in patients with diabetic foot ulcers, this dressing has proven to be effective in promoting efficient wound healing in patients at risk for wound infections." Dr. Keith Bowering, Director, Diabetic Foot Clinic, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Canada.

Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management, with headquarters in Hull, UK employs more than 2,500 people around the world with approximately half based in their main manufacturing facility in Hull. The organisation also has manufacturing centres in the US in Largo, Florida.

* Trademark of Smith & Nephew
™ SILCRYST is a Trade Mark of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp., under licence
† Nanocrystalline Silver is a patented technology of NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE:SNN) is one of the world's leading medical devices companies, specialising in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics company in the world.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the highest standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has over 8,500 employees and operates in 33 countries around the world, generating sales of over £1.25 billion.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and operating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

*Unless otherwise specified as reported, all revenue increases throughout this document are underlying increases which adjust for the effects of currency translation and the effect of two fewer sales days in the first quarter and one more sales day in the second quarter.

SMITH & NEPHEW

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