HEALTHPOINT Signs International Distribution Agreement With Elcom To Launch OASIS(R) Wound Matrix And OASIS(R) Burn Matrix In Central America

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- HEALTHPOINT(R), Ltd., a Texas- based market leader in tissue management, dermatology, and surgical products, has signed an agreement with Costa Rica-based Elcom to market and sell OASIS(R) Wound Matrix and OASIS(R) Burn Matrix. Oasis is a biomaterial that can be used in the management of partial and full-thickness skin loss injuries, such as pressure, venous, and chronic vascular ulcers, diabetic ulcers, surgical and trauma wounds, second degree burns, abrasions, and autograft donor sites.

The agreement grants Elcom exclusive distribution rights for Oasis products in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama.

Based in San Jose, Elcom provides innovative technologies for the medical market in Costa Rica and surrounding countries.

OASIS(R) is based on COOK(R) Biotech Incorporated’s breakthrough Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa, or SIS Technology, and is a natural, extracellular matrix used to manage a variety of wounds by providing an environment that allows a patient’s body to rebuild and repair damaged tissue.

Indiana-based COOK Biotech, a leading manufacturer of tissue-engineered biomaterials for numerous medical and surgical applications, will continue to manufacture the product.

“Elcom is pleased to be HEALTHPOINT’s distributor in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama,” said Marco Jimenez, founder of Elcom. “We believe there is significant market potential for this innovative wound matrix and look forward to developing Oasis for patients throughout our national healthcare market.”

“Elcom offers experience in the advanced wound care field, knowledge of the Costa Rica healthcare market and insight with regard to the marketing of new and innovative product concepts -- all of which make Elcom the ideal distributor for Oasis products in Costa Rica,” said Jay Nisbet, Senior Director of International Business Development for HEALTHPOINT.

“We are looking forward to introducing Oasis into Central America,” states Benjamin Vicuna, Director of International Business Development for HEALTHPOINT. “We are excited about entering this market with such a unique product with proven clinical effectiveness and clear advantage over the competition.”

HEALTHPOINT initially marketed Oasis in the U.S. and extended marketing efforts internationally beginning with Canada in late 2002, and Mexico earlier this year.

Since its inception in 1992, HEALTHPOINT, Ltd., a DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. affiliate company, has established a strong domestic U.S. presence in the research, development, and marketing of branded pharmaceuticals, over the counter drugs, and medical devices for tissue management, dermatology, and surgical products. An aggressive research and development effort has taken unique technologies to the market, setting the pace for a highly trained field sales organization that is expanding across North America and beyond. HEALTHPOINT is based in Fort Worth, Texas, with additional offices in Canada. Visit HEALTHPOINT’s website at http://www.healthpoint.com/ .

COOK Biotech Incorporated, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, was established in 1995 to research, develop and manufacture products based on extracellular matrix (ECM) Technology. COOK Biotech is actively developing ECM and scaffold-based biomaterials for numerous medical purposes. Medical products utilizing COOK’s patented ECM Technology are currently marketed worldwide for use in wound management and surgical repair of soft tissue. Together with a network of medical practitioners, COOK Biotech is identifying the medical needs most compatible with ECM technology and developing products to meet these needs.

HEALTHPOINT, Ltd.

CONTACT: Jay Nisbet, jay.nisbet@healthpoint.com , or Benjamin Vicuna,benjamin.vicuna@healthpoint.com , both of HEALTHPOINT, Ltd., +1-817-900-4000;or Marco Jimenez of Elcom, +011-506-441-1569, or mjelcom@racsa.co.cr