TSL.L Regulatory News (TSL)

25 Nov 2005 07:00

Tissue Science Laboratories PLC25 November 2005 25 November 2005 Tissue Science Laboratories plc ('TSL' or 'the Company') Positive clinical results for Permacol(R) in Rhinoplasty procedures Confirms Permacol(R) is a convenient and easy material to use and produces excellent cosmetic results Tissue Science Laboratories plc (LSE: TSL), the medical devices companyspecialising in human tissue replacement and repair products, announces thepresentation of new clinical data on Permacol(R), TSL's porcine-derived collagensheet, in the surgical field of rhinoplasty or nose augmentation. The surgeon, Mr Asaad Hosni, and his team at Frimley Park Hospital monitored theuse of Permacol(R) in rhinoplasty procedures in 45 patients over 3 years. The team was looking for the ideal graft material, with characteristics such asstability of shape and size over time, malleability, easily obtainable andadequate supply, no resultant discolouration of tissue and no immunologicalreaction. Currently, the ultimate graft material is the patient's own; however,this causes an increase in operating theatre time and adds another wound site tothe patient. Another alternative is synthetic mesh but the team reported thatthis was associated with a significantly higher risk of infection, capsuleformation and surgical removal. In their paper, Mr Hosni and his team concluded, "In our experience Permacol(R)is a convenient and easy material to use and produces excellent cosmeticresults." These observations arose from positive results reported in 44 of the45 patients over the 3 year period. Martin Hunt, Chief Executive of TSL, said, "Within the growing reconstructiveand cosmetic head and face sector, there are c. 300,000 rhinoplasties undertakenpa in the US, which we believe presents us with a target market of up to $120million. "As described in Mr Hosni's paper, head and face surgeons set demanding criteriafor graft material to ensure optimal results for both the surgeon and thepatient. We are delighted that this long term study concludes that our product,Permacol(R) meets these requirements and we believe the results should encourageother head and face surgeons to adopt Permacol(R) as the material of choice fortheir patients." -Ends- * Permacol(R) Augmentation Rhinoplasty - results of our 3 year experience,published by L Pitkin, J Rimmer, S Lo, E Okpala and A Hosni of Frimley ParkHospital. For further information, please contact: TSL plc Tel: 01252 369 603Martin Hunt, Chief ExecutiveHogarth Partnership Limited Mob: 07767 66 00 40Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Kate Catchpole Notes to Editors Background on TSL Founded in 1995, with headquarters in Aldershot, Hampshire, TSL is a medicaltechnology company specialising in tissue repair and replacement with aproprietary sheet product, derived from porcine dermis, called Permacol(R). TSLhas launched successfully different formulations of the product and built adevelopment pipeline that addresses the large and fast growing surgical implantmarket. The Company floated in November 2001 and is listed on the AlternativeInvestment Market (LSE: TSL). TSL has a family of products based on the same core technology. Each producthas been adapted, with unique properties, to make it suitable for use indifferent applications, including urology/gynaecology, complex and recurrenthernia repair, shoulder rotator cuff repair and head and face repair andreconstruction. The Company has signed distribution agreements with CR Bard Inc(urology/gynaecology - worldwide), Zimmer Inc (orthopaedic - worldwide) andPorex Surgical Inc (head & face - US and Canada). Further variations of thesheet and injectable forms of Permacol(R) are being developed. About Permacol(R) The key to Permacol(R) lies in its collagen technology which usesnon-reconstituted porcine dermal collagen, very similar in structure to humantissue. Non-collagenous material, except elastin, is removed by the TSLmanufacturing process. The remaining collagen, which retains its original 3-Dstructural architecture, is stabilised by a patented cross-linking process. Theresult is a non-reconstituted, non-allergenic, collagen implant which isresistant to biodegradation attack, is recognised and accepted by the body, andis able to provide a long-term support for the in-growth of new tissue and itsassociated blood supply. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange