Advanced Medical Solutions Group Regulatory News (AMS)

28 Jan 2010 07:00



Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc

("AMS" or "the Company")

Cardinal Health to distribute LiquiBand™ in US

Winsford, UK: Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (AIM: AMS), the global medical technology company, today announces that Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), a major US healthcare services company, is marketing and distributing AMS's LiquiBand™ topical skin adhesive range in the US to hospitals, care centres, and surgeries. Cardinal Health has already commenced sales of approved LiquiBand™ products following training of its sales force by AMS.

Cardinal Health's appointment is in line with AMS's strategy of forming multiple partnerships for the commercialisation of LiquiBand™. In July last year, AMS announced a partnership with Stryker Corporation (NYSE: SYK) for global marketing and distribution of certain of its LiquiBand™ wound closure products in cranio-maxillofacial surgical procedures. These products are on sale in Europe and awaiting approval in the US.

In Europe, LiquiBand™ has already established itself as a leading topical skin adhesive range for closing trauma and surgical wounds. LiquiBand™ was initially introduced in the UK in 1999 and is distributed in all of the main markets throughout Europe.

Cardinal Health has a substantial US sales force, with 84 surgical speciality, 196 acute care and 285 ambulatory care sales people. These sales people will access the two key segments of the tissue adhesives market in the US: acute care, comprising over 3000 hospitals and attached care centres representing 80% of this market; and alternate site, comprising over 320 surgery centres and 6000 alternate site settings representing 20% of this market.

510(k) approval was received from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in February 2009 for the initial LiquiBand™ product line, allowing its sale in the US. Further approvals are being sought from the FDA for additional products to create a comprehensive LiquiBand™ range in the US for the A&E and operating room markets.

The currently approved product line, consisting of LiquiBand™ and LiquiBand™ Flow Control, was unveiled at the American College of Emergency Physicians in Boston, 5-8 October 2009, and at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exposition in Washington DC, 17-20 October 2009.

Commenting on this announcement, Dr. Don Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Medical Solutions, said:

"Our strategy for penetrating the US topical tissue adhesives market, which is currently estimated to be worth around $200 million, is via multiple marketing and distribution partners with specific competencies and experience.

"As a major provider of healthcare products to hospitals, out-patient centres, and physicians' surgeries across the US, Cardinal Health is an ideal partner for commercialising our tissue adhesive technology in this key strategic market."

-ENDS-

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Notes to Editors:

Advanced Medical Solutions develops and manufactures products for the $15 billion global woundcare market.

Founded in 1991 and quoted on AIM, Advanced Medical Solutions is focused on the design, development and manufacture of innovative products for advanced woundcare and wound closure.

The advanced woundcare products are based on the moist wound healing principle. AMS uses its in-house technology to provide a vertically integrated 'one stop shop' for all categories of moist wound healing products. The Company has the capability to move a product from design and development through to production and delivery for distribution and sale into customer markets.

AMS' technology in cyanoacrylate based tissue adhesives is used for the closure of small cuts and trauma wounds through to large surgical incisions, and also for protecting or sealing skin to prevent breakdown or infection. 

AMS' products which currently serve the majority of the key global markets are sold either direct or through strategic partners and distributors.