Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management announces launch of ACTICOAT* Flex

LONDON--(Marketwire - November 7, 2008) - The Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN; NYSE:SNN) announced today the launch of a new product to expand the ACTICOAT* family. ACTICOAT Flex has been designed to support physicians dealing with injuries at high risk of infection. The dressings utilize the tried and trusted Silcryst® nano-crystalline silver technology and are highly conformable - ideal for awkward anatomical areas such as face and hands to improve patient comfort during wear.

Initially the product will be available in Canada with the USA and EU markets launching early in 2009. The ACTICOAT franchise has enjoyed seven years of continuing success in the silver dressing category, since its invention and introduction in Canada, through strong, reliable clinical and economic performance. The latest product to join the family continues this tradition by further enhancing the patient benefits delivered through this valuable, proprietary technology.

"This new product represents an exciting and significant development for the ACTICOAT brand. It has been developed by listening to clinicians and understanding their needs for fighting wound infection. The development was possible due to the ongoing strength of our partnership with Nucryst Pharmaceuticals and demonstrates the capability of the unique Silcryst silver technology to meet the stringent and rapidly advancing needs of our customers", said Roger Teasdale, Senior Vice President of the Advance Woundcare Strategic Business Unit.

"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 the three focused elements of the Wound Management Global Business Unit strategy along with Exudate Management and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy.

* Trademark of Smith & Nephew

® Trademark of Nucryst Pharmaceuticals

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopedic Reconstruction, Orthopedic 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 orthopedics 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 2007 were nearly USD3.4billion.

About NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals

NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS) develops, manufactures and commercializes medical products that fight infection and inflammation using SILCRYST™, its patented atomically disordered nanocrystalline silver technology. NUCRYST licensed world-wide rights for SILCRYST™ wound care coating products to Smith & Nephew plc, which markets these products in over 30 countries under their ACTICOAT™ trademark. NUCRYST is also developing pharmaceutical products to address medical conditions that are characterized by pain, infection and inflammation. The Company has developed its proprietary nanocrystalline silver in a powder form, referred to as NPI 32101 for use in medical devices and as an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

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 trading margins 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 harmonization of sales practices, 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.

Contact Information: Enquiries: Investors Liz Hewitt +44 (0)20 7401 7646 Group Director Corporate Affairs Smith & Nephew Media Sidonie Myers +44 (0)1482 673246 Head of Communication Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management