PRINCETON, N.J., May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences, Inc. , a provider of advanced wound care products, announced that it has reached a three-year supply agreement for its popular MEDIHONEY(TM) line with St Louis, MO-based Amerinet Inc., a leading national healthcare group purchasing organization that serves more than 26,000 acute and non-acute health care providers nationwide.
"This agreement continues the momentum that MEDIHONEY has been building since we have made it a key part of our product portfolio," said Edward Quilty, Chairman and CEO of Derma Sciences. "We are fortunate to be able to partner with a company like Amerinet as its scope increases our market penetration and its reputation further validates the brand. We now have two group purchasing organization agreements for MEDIHONEY, and we expect to sign others as well."
The MEDIHONEY line of dressings, containing Active Leptospermum Honey, is used for managing a wide variety of wounds and burns. In July, the FDA gave its initial clearance of MEDIHONEY, and the product was launched last fall. Two additional clearances for line extensions have been granted since that time. Sales have increased rapidly, and over 20 clinical abstracts on the use of the product have been accepted at various professional conferences so far in 2008.
"Amerinet continuously looks for new and emerging technology products that are both unique in the marketplace and that will be of benefit to our member facilities," said Kris Keck, custom contract manager for Amerinet. "Not only is it the first honey-based product of its kind, but we believe it will provide our members with a new line of dressing that can be used in all stages of wound care."
About Amerinet Inc.
Through Total Spend Management Solutions, Amerinet strategically partners with health care providers to improve operating margins by creating efficiencies, reducing costs and identifying new revenue streams. Supported by a team of clinical, data and supply chain experts, Amerinet offers a suite of tools, programs and services including a comprehensive and competitive portfolio that delivers practical solutions to address members' specific needs.
Based in St. Louis, Mo, with offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, Providence, R.I., and Warrendale, Pa., Amerinet serves more than 26,000 acute and non- acute health care providers nationwide. To learn more, visit www.amerinet-gpo.com.
About Derma Sciences
Derma Sciences is a global manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound- care products. Its key product, MEDIHONEY, 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. For more information about Derma Sciences, Inc., visit its home page on the Internet at http://www.dermasciences.com.
Forward-looking Statements
Statements contained in this release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate" or "continue" are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that certain important factors may affect the Company's actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be made in this release or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company. Factors which may affect the Company's results include, but are not limited to, product demand, market acceptance, impact of competitive products and prices, product development, completion of an acquisition, commercialization or technological difficulties, the success or failure of negotiations and trade, legal, social and economic risks. Additional factors that could cause or contribute to differences between the Company's actual results and forward-looking statements Include but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Edward J. Quilty, Chairman and CEO of Derma Sciences Inc,
+1-609-514-4744, equilty@dermasciences.com; Rudy Barrio (US Investors),
r.barrio@allencaron.com, or Brian Kennedy (media), brian@allencaron.com,
+1-212-691-8087, both of Allen & Caron Inc
Web site: http://www.dermasciences.com/
http://www.amerinet-gpo.com/
