ULURU Inc. Announces First Shipment of Altrazeal® to Australia
ADDISON, Texas, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ULURU Inc. (OTCQB: ULUR),announced today that the first shipment of Altrazeal® has been received by our marketing partner in Australia.
Altrazeal® is an advanced scientifically engineered material that is unique among all other wound dressings in terms of properties and performance. It incorporates the features and benefits of the desired "ideal" wound dressing. Altrazeal® has demonstrated potential clinical and economic advantages in a number of chronic and acute wounds including diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers and geriatric wounds.
An extensive pre-marketing program has been conducted in Australia to establish a broad user base for Altrazeal® which should enable rapid market penetration. Altrazeal® has been widely sampled to the key medical centers for use by the leading wound care opinion leaders. The clinical results achieved have created strong support from the various wound care managers; from academic groups to nurse practitioners.
One example of the positive clinical results achieved in Australia was a 93 year old lady who had four venous leg ulcers that had been treated with conventional wound dressings for eight years. The wound manager applied Altrazeal® and allowed it to remain in place for 30 days. After this initial treatment period, one ulcer had healed while the remaining three had reduced in size and the wound bed was significantly improved. With one further application of Altrazeal®, the remaining three wounds healed by day 63. Previously, dressings were changed two to three times per week (during this period a total of 18-27 times). The conclusion of the wound manager was that Altrazeal® represents a significant development in their capacity to manage slow healing wounds effectively, with positive implications for cost management.
Commenting on the developments in Australia, Kerry P. Gray, President and CEO of ULURU, stated, "We are very excited with the advances that have been so rapidly made in the Australian market. The clinical support that has been developed is impressive and further expands and validates the data that has been developed in both Europe and the United States. The 93 year old patient clearly demonstrates not only the potential for improved clinical outcomes but also the possibility to dramatically reduce wound care treatment costs."
Having a wound dressing with a longer wear time, which reduces the need for dressing changes, has numerous advantages including, reduced risk of infection, reduced nursing time, and less inconvenience to the patient. A review of the medical literature indicates that the ideal dressing requires minimal disturbance or replacement, which should be avoided unless clinically indicated. Altrazeal® can remain in place for up to 30 days however, it is recommended that it be changed every 7 10 days to allow greater wound monitoring.
Initially Altrazeal® in a 2 gram pouch will be launched into the private market segment in Australia. More importantly this will be followed by the 0.75 gram blister pack which is considered the dosage form that will be most commonly used. Despite Altrazeal® not being commercially available in Australia our partner has previously been awarded a significant state government contract. It is a strategic priority of the Australian State Governments to achieve clinical endpoints, the restoration of patient health and wellbeing, as quickly and cost effectively as possible. It is anticipated that the Altrazeal® 0.75 gram blister pack will be shipped this September.
Gray continued, "The achievement of these significant milestones by our Australian partner are clear indications of the commercial potential for Altrazeal® in government sponsored health care systems where products demonstrating cost effective patient outcomes are a high priority. The 0.75 gram blister pack is an important new product introduction globally. Completion of manufacturing the 0.75 gram blister pack will enable Altrazeal® to be launched in the first European market. Additionally, this presentation is an important line extension in the U.S., where we anticipate a 4th quarter 2012 launch."
About ULURU Inc.:
ULURU Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of a portfolio of wound management and oral care products to provide patients and consumers improved clinical outcomes through controlled delivery utilizing its innovative Nanoflex Aggregate technology and OraDisc transmucosal delivery system. For further information about ULURU Inc., please visit our website at www.uluruinc.com. For further information about Altrazeal®, please visit www.Altrazeal.com.
This press release contains certain statements that are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the clinical and economic advantages of Altrazeal® and the strong support by various wound care sectors, the rapid market penetration of Altrazeal® in Australia, the commercial potential of Altrazeal® in Australia, the launch timing of Altrazeal 0.75 gram blister pack in Australia, Europe, and the U.S., and to risk factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: Company
Kerry P. Gray
President & CEO
Terry K. Wallberg
Vice President & CFO
(214) 905-5145
SOURCE ULURU Inc.