PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences, Inc. , a provider of advanced wound care products, announced today that they have entered into an agreement with MedEfficiency, Inc. for the exclusive distribution of the company’s novel “total contact casts”. MedEfficiency’s TCC-EZ(TM) cast will act as a protective barrier for the open wounds that often develop on the undersides of diabetic patients’ feet, and help to greatly reduce the over 80,000 diabetes-related lower extremity amputations that are performed annually in the U.S., at a cost of over $2.5 billion for the hospital system.
Derma Sciences CEO Ed Quilty stated, “Our goal is advancing wound care by uncovering novel technologies, empowering caregivers, and focusing on patients’ unmet needs. Helping to bring the TCC-EZ cast to market achieves all three. If we are able to increase adoption of a technology that is considered the gold standard for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, we feel confident this will lead to fewer amputations. As we know, unfortunately, there is a high mortality rate associated with diabetic ulcer-related amputations. Being able to have such a dramatic effect on patients’ lives is very rewarding to all of us at Derma Sciences.”
Several randomized controlled studies have shown that use of total contact casts leads to significantly improved rates of healing versus all other modalities (89.5% for total contact casts; a 30% improvement over diabetic walking boots, the next closest method). However, until now, use of total contact casting methods has been low, due to the amount of time required for application and the inconsistency in technique.
The TCC-EZ solves both of these problems: the cast is a patented fiberglass-based knit tubular sock that is rolled onto a patient’s foot and lower leg in less than 5 minutes. This is formed into a cast, which sets in approximately 10 minutes, greatly reducing the amount of time required for both application and curing of the cast. These new efficiencies will act as a major incentive for clinicians to employ total contact casts, and should substantially increase utilization rates. The TCC-EZ also provides additional support and stability for the patient, thus reducing the likelihood of post-treatment injuries as well.
MedEfficiency Founder and CEO, Dr. Jeffrey Jensen, DPM said, “Each day, there are more than 230 diabetes-related amputations performed in the United States alone. Knowing that total contact casting, the current gold standard, was underutilized, the Company started to develop new approaches and technologies to make the procedure more efficient. This allowed it to develop a unique market niche. We are very excited about our agreement with Derma Sciences as they have developed a strong sales force in the wound healing market and should provide a broader reach for our unique products.”
About Derma Sciences
Derma Sciences is a global manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound-care products. Its key product, MEDIHONEY(TM), is sold throughout the world by Derma Sciences and Comvita New Zealand -- the licensor of the patented honey-based technology -- and is the leading brand of honey-based dressings for the management of wounds and burns. The product has been shown to be effective in a variety of wounds and burns, and was recently the focus of a large-scale randomized controlled trial on leg ulcers. Derma has two products in development: the BIOGUARD(TM) line of barrier gauze dressings, and DSC127, the company’s novel angiotensin analog for accelerated wound healing and scar reduction. The barrier technology was licensed from Quick-Med in Q1 of 2007 and is pending its initial FDA marketing clearance. DSC127 was licensed from The University of Southern California in Q4 of 2007 and is entering into a Phase II study, with anticipated initial patient enrollment to begin in Q3 of 2008. For more information about Derma Sciences, Inc., visit its home page on the Internet at http://www.dermasciences.com.
About MedEfficiency
MedEfficiency, Inc. is a medical products company that is focused on the development, manufacturing, and marketing of medical devices for treating chronic wounds and lower extremity fractures. MedEfficiency has developed innovative new products using advanced technology that will change the way these conditions are treated and may result in improved clinical outcomes and more cost-effective treatments. The company has focused on the development of new and improved medical device products funded in part by Small Business Innovative Research Grants from the National Institute of Health and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Its newest product, the TCC-EZ cast, was launched in the summer of 2007. For more information about MedEfficiency, Inc., visit its home page on the Internet at http://www.medefficiency.com.
CONTACT: Edward J. Quilty, Chairman and CEO of Derma Sciences Inc.,
+1-609-514-4744, equilty@dermasciences.com; or US Investors, Rudy Barrio,
r.barrio@allencaron.com, or media, Brian Kennedy, brian@allencaron.com,
both of Allen & Caron Inc, +1-212-691-8087, for Derma Sciences, Inc.
Web site: http://www.dermasciences.com/
http://www.medefficiency.com/
