Industry News March 2010

Healthpoint Provides Grants for Research to Evaluate Healing Markers in chronic wounds

     Healthpoint (Fort Worth, Tex) has provided research grants to the University of Florida, Gainesville (Gainesville, Fla) and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (Nashville, Tenn) to support a joint study evaluating bioburden and potential healing markers in chronic wounds. This research initiative will explore the hypothesis that bacterial biofilms are associated with the breakdown of key components on cells and in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that regulate wound healing. Professor Gregory Schultz and Dr. Joyce Stechmiller of the University of Florida, and Professors Lillian Nanney and Jeffrey M. Davidson of Vanderbilt University, will serve as co-investigators for the study.      During normal wound healing, interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix are continually changing in a reciprocal and dynamic manner that regulates the phases of healing and determines the outcome of the repair process. In difficult to heal or chronic wounds, this process is called dynamic reciprocity. Dynamic reciprocity becomes disrupted and the wound fails to proceed through the sequential phases of healing in a timely fashion.      In the joint study, sequential biopsies and wound fluid samples will be obtained from 20 patients suffering with chronic wounds during their course of therapy at the Lake City VA Medical Center Nursing Home, which has an association with the University of Florida, Gainesville. The sample specimens will then be analyzed for bacterial biofilms at the University of Florida’s Institute for Wound Research using unique culturing techniques. The findings will be correlated with the healing progress of individual wounds and with measures of dynamic reciprocity. A portion of the specimens will also be transferred to Vanderbilt University for proteomic analysis (evaluation of the structure and function of proteins that make up the physiological pathways of cells) to correlate patterns with wound healing outcomes and to identify sentinel indicators of healing. The overall goal of this research project is to identify proteins that are uniquely altered in chronic wounds and to apply this knowledge toward the development of better treatment strategies that would more effectively remove biofilms and prevent their reformation in impaired wounds.      Visit www.healthpoint.com for more information.

Derma Sciences Signs Exclusive Distribution agreement for BIOGUARD™ Barrier Dressings

     Derma Sciences Inc (Princeton, NJ) recently signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Medline Industries (Mundelein, Ill) for the sale of one of its key products, BIOGUARD™ Barrier Dressing into the acute care market. This contract will allow Medline to place BIOGUARD products on its current traditional wound care Group Purchasing Organization agreements.      Visit www.dermasciences.com for more information.

Mölnlycke Health Care Purchases Rynel

     Mölnlycke Health Care (Norcross, Ga) has completed the purchase of hydrophilic polyurethane foam specialist, Rynel in a deal designed to support the group’s wound care product offering. Rynel is a valued supplier for the Mölnlycke Health Care foam-based wound care assortment including products such as Mepilex®, Mepilex® Border, and Mepilex® Ag. The deal will strengthen the relationship and support the continued growth and innovation of the product offering, helping patients around the world enjoy a better life with fewer traumas and less pain.      Visit www.molnlycke.com for more information.

Soluble Systems Secures Trademark Protection for TheraGauze™

     Soluble Systems LLC (Newport News, Va) recently announced that the US Patent and Trademark office has granted the company trademark protection for TheraSkin™. TheraSkin is a cryopreserved human skin allograft with both epidermis and dermis layers. The allograft provides a supply of growth factors, cytokines, and collagen to promote wound healing. When applied to a wound that is not healing properly, the allograft can jumpstart the healing process. The product represents a major addition to the company’s product line and is synergistic to TheraGauze, the existing line of advanced polymer moisture regulating wound dressings.      Visit www.solublesystems.com for more information.

Healthpoint Named One of the Best Companies to Work for in 2010

     Healthpoint Ltd (Fort Worth, Tex) was recently named one of the Best Companies to work for in Texas 2010. Created in 2006, the awards program is the collaboration of Texas Monthly Magazine, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group. A total of 85 companies were recognized in this year’s program, and of the several hundred companies evaluated, 35 medium-size companies across the state were honored. Healthpoint is the only pharmaceutical company on the list and is ranked at #20.      This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in the state of Texas and to benefit the state's economy, workforce, and businesses. First, each nominee evaluated their company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. Next, employee surveys were conducted to measure employee satisfaction. This accounted for approximately 75% of each company’s total evaluation. Final scores determined the top companies and overall company rankings. Healthpoint feels humbled by this honor, as it is a representation of how its employees feel concerning their work environment and being a part of the company’s business philosophy.      Visit www.healthpoint.com for more information.