PLAINSBORO, N.J., March 25, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) today announced that it is featuring its recently launched INTEGRA(TM) Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing product at the American Burn Association Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia this week. Integra currently sells this product in the United States through its plastic and reconstructive surgery sales force.
The INTEGRA(TM) Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing is a two-layer tissue engineered matrix, part of a family of products that includes the INTEGRA(TM) Dermal Regeneration Template. The outer layer is made of a thin semi-permeable silicone film that acts as the skin's epidermis. It protects wounds from infection and controls both heat and moisture loss. The inner layer is constructed of a complex biodegradable matrix of cross-linked fibers. This porous material provides a scaffold for cellular invasion and capillary growth. The scaffold is eventually remodeled as the patient's cells rebuild the damaged site.
The INTEGRA(TM) Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing is indicated for the management of wounds including: partial and full-thickness wounds, pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, diabetic ulcers, chronic vascular ulcers, surgical wounds (donor sites/grafts, Post-Moh's surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric, wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns, and skin tears) and draining wounds. It provides immediate wound coverage and is highly conformable for various anatomical sites. It also offers excellent performance in deep donor sites. The product has exceptional strength and flexibility and is conveniently stored at room temperature.
The Journal of Burns and Surgical Wound Care published an article on February 12, 2004 assessing the use of INTEGRA(R) Dermal Regeneration Template in the treatment of chronic wounds, an off label usage of that product. The article is entitled "Successful Management and Surgical Closure of Chronic and Pathological Wounds using INTEGRA(R)" and was authored by Marc E. Gottlieb and Jennifer Furman. The study involved the use of INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template on 111 patients with chronic and pathological wounds. Drs. Gottlieb and Furman concluded that INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template is ideally suited to chronic and pathological wounds, surviving adverse conditions where grafts would not survive and performing the essential coverage duties of flaps without donor sites, and that it heals wounds and salvages extremities where conventional methods of repair fail or are too risky. To view the full article, please go to http://www.journalofburns.com/read.php?articlerow=167.
INTEGRA(TM) Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing is indicated by its labeling for the applications discussed by Drs. Gottlieb and Furman in their study.
"The INTEGRA(TM) Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing is part of the family of products that includes our INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template product, but has broad indications for wounds, and therefore significantly increases our opportunity in the market," said Stuart M. Essig, Integra's President and Chief Executive Officer. "With indications in trauma and chronic wounds, the new product line enhances our plastic and reconstructive sales force's product offering and supports their focused efforts to provide solutions to the plastic and reconstructive surgeon."
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is a diversified medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in a variety of applications. The primary applications for our products are neuro-trauma and neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and general surgery. Integra is a leader in applying the principles of biotechnology to medical devices that improve patients' quality of life. Our corporate headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and we have manufacturing and research facilities located throughout the world. We have approximately 880 permanent employees. Please visit our website at (http://www.Integra-LS.com).
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our market opportunity for the INTEGRA Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, physicians' willingness to use the INTEGRA Bilayer Matrix Wound Dressing may affect the prospects for its use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading "Factors Than May Affect Our Future Performance" included in the Business section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.