PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DSCI), a specialty medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, today announced that it has successfully negotiated an additional three years on its current BIOGUARD(TM) licensing agreement with Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: QMDT). This contract extension results in a potential 8-year term for Derma Sciences' newest product entrant into the $14 billion global advanced wound care market. Additionally, Derma will now have expanded exclusivity to include the majority of remaining gauze-based products, including non-woven gauze dressings.

Barry Wolfenson, Derma Sciences Vice President of Marketing and Business Development stated, "This extension is an important development for us. We are confident that BIOGUARD(TM) will earn a leading position in the wound care market as a key cost-effective antimicrobial dressing. Due to its unique properties, it can be used preventatively on many wound types without concern regarding over-usage and the creation of resistant microbial strains. This is a key differentiator against other common antimicrobial wound dressings, usage of which is limited to only those wounds that already have high bacterial counts."

"Our initial sales, along with our recently announced Acute Care distribution agreement with Medline Industries, position us well to maximize sales of this important dressing," said Derma Sciences CEO Ed Quilty. "The expanded term and scope of the agreement will help to make this brand a key contributor to our overall success for years to come."

J. Ladd Greeno, Quick-Med's CEO, stated, "Quick-Med is excited to enter into this amended license agreement with Derma Sciences. Derma has successfully demonstrated its ability to quickly commercialize our proprietary NIMBUS technology and the expanded grant of rights provides them with important additional products."

BIOGUARD(TM) is the first non-leaching antimicrobial dressing. It received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance in February, 2009 and Derma Sciences had its first commercial sale of the product in June 2009. The dressings serve as a barrier to infection, kill germs absorbed into the dressing, and do not interfere with tissue healing. The dressing's active agent maintains effectiveness even in the presence of large amounts of proteinaceous exudates. Being the only non-leaching antimicrobial dressing is an important distinction; other antimicrobial dressings rely on the release of chemicals to the wound bed that can impede the wound healing process, and potentially cause the formation of resistant strains. The technology within BIOGUARD(TM) dressings is protected by nine U.S. patents and patents pending and 24 foreign counterparts.

About BIOGUARD(TM)

Derma Sciences, Inc., a Princeton, New Jersey-based company that develops, manufactures, and markets innovative wound care products, has recently introduced BIOGUARD(TM) Barrier Dressings. This exciting line of wound care products - developed by Time Magazine "innovator" Dr. Greg Schultz - provides a barrier to bacterial contamination while also providing 99.9999% average reductions of common pathogens - including MRSA - within the dressings. The active component of BIOGUARD dressings, a non-toxic high molecular weight cationic polymer called p-DADMAC, makes the dressings distinct from other currently available antimicrobial dressings in that they do not leach from the dressings, negating the issue of creating resistant strains, and they are also non-toxic, allowing them to be used safely on all wounds. Derma Sciences licensed BIOGUARD(TM) from Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. in 2007.

About Derma Sciences

Derma Sciences is a global manufacturer and marketer of advanced wound care products. Its key product, MEDIHONEY(R), 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 the focus of a positive large-scale randomized controlled trial on leg ulcers. Derma also has in development DSC127, a novel pharmaceutical for accelerated wound healing and scar reduction. DSC127, an angiotensin analog, has shown positive healing results in multiple pre-clinical animal models. One possible mode of action of the drug is the up-regulation of mesenchymal stem cells at the wound site. Derma Science expects to announce the endpoint results from this study during Q3 of 2010.

About Quick-Med Technologies, Inc.

Quick-Med Technologies, Inc. is a life sciences company that is developing innovative technologies for the healthcare and consumer markets. Quick-Med is developing NIMBUS applications in several other advanced wound dressing formats including adhesives, foams, hydrogels, films, and hydrocolloids. 


    Contact:
    Derma Sciences, Inc.
    John Yetter
    Vice President and CFO
    jyetter@dermasciences.com
    (609) 514- 4744

    The Investor Relations Group
    212-825-3210
    Jason Strominger (Investor Relations)
    Janet Vasquez (Media Relations)

SOURCE Derma Sciences, Inc.