RLM.L Regulatory News (RLM)

PuriCore plc

 ("PuriCore" or the "Company")

22 October 2013

PuriCore Launches New Animal Health Wound Product NovaZo

New Advanced Wound Management Product for Equine and Companion Animal Market

PuriCore (LSE: PURI), a global company focused on safe and effective protection against the spread of infectious pathogens, today announces that the Company has launched into the Animal Health market with a new product, NovaZo™ Animal Health Wound Irrigation Solution. Based on PuriCore's Vashe Wound Therapy technology, NovaZo is a safe and effective wound cleanser for use on companion and large animals of all species including competitive animals. Currently, NovaZo is available through veterinarians in the US and will be available internationally later in 2013.

The Animal Health market as a whole is rapidly growing in the US as well as globally. According to a May 2012 research report by BBC Research, the total global market for animal therapeutics and diagnostics was $30 billion in 2011, up from $25 billion in 2008. By 2016, this market is likely to exceed $42 billion, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2011 through 2016. In addition, BBC Research reports that the global animal health pharmaceutical segment accounts for the largest percentage of revenue in this category with nearly 48%. Sales for this segment reached $14.3 billion in 2011 and are expected to increase to nearly $21.0 billion by 2016, a CAGR of 7.5%.

NovaZo is the most recent product offering in the PuriCore Health Sciences portfolio, which includes Vashe Wound Therapy for Wound Care and private-labeled atopic dermatitis (eczema) formulations marketed in the US through Onset Dermatologics. NovaZo is used in the management of post-surgical incisions; moist dressings; hot spots, bites, and rashes; burn, graft, and flap dressings; and for debridement irrigation and odor control. It can be dispensed for home and farm use. NovaZo is safe for use around an animal's mouth, nose, eyes, and ears and is non-cytotoxic, non-stinging, and steroid-free. NovaZo will be sold direct by PuriCore initially whilst the Company continues partnering discussions both in the US and internationally. More information on NovaZo is available at www.novazo.com.

Michael Ashton, Executive Chairman, said:

"NovaZo is an advanced technology for wound management in all companion and large animals. One of our key growth strategies for our Health Sciences division is to capitalise on our Wound Care technology platform by expanding our markets, applications, and formulations to drive recurring revenues. Spend on Animal Health continues to increase rapidly, and we see our entry into this segment as a significant opportunity for PuriCore and look forward to finalising marketing partnership agreements in the US and in international territories."

Frank H. Welker, DVM, MS, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, said:

"In my clinical use of NovaZo, I am impressed with the amount of debris that comes off the wound without my having to touch it. NovaZo has a high concentration of HOCl and is hypochlorite-free, making it skin-friendly and non-cytotoxic and representing a novel advancement in animal wound care." 

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About PuriCore

PuriCore plc (LSE: PURI) is a global company focused on safe and effective protection against the spread of infectious pathogens without causing harm to human or animal health or to the environment. PuriCore's antimicrobial technology and complementary products are used in well-established core businesses and emerging sectors of two broad markets: Health Sciences and Food & Agriculture. In the Health Sciences market, PuriCore is the leading full provider of all products and services required for a safe, efficient, and compliant endoscope decontamination to protect patients and staff in UK hospitals. PuriCore's breakthrough wound care technology is used to treat chronic and acute wounds including diabetic ulcers and burns in humans, for atopic dermatitis as private-labelled dermatologic treatments for humans, and to manage wounds in all species of companion and farm animals in the animal health segment. In the Food & Agriculture market, PuriCore's portfolio is used by three of the top-five US supermarket retailers to provide savings in labour costs and improvements in inventory loss and to address cross contamination of pathogens on fresh produce and floral products. In addition, the Company is progressing its research and development programmes on the use of its technology as an agricultural fungicide. PuriCore is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with operations in Stafford and Clevedon, UK. To receive additional information on PuriCore, visit www.puricore.com.

Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective shareholders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.