Smith & Nephew Announces Launch of Acticoat Flex


London, UK--(Marketwire - November 7, 2008) -



7 November 2008


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

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


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


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.

                    This information is provided by RNS
          The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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