Agreement with Apria Healthca

RNS Number : 5528U

Smith & Nephew Plc

15 May 2008

 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Smith & Nephew announces agreement with Apria Healthcare, Inc. to distribute Negative Pressure Wound Therapy products to the US home care market

15th May 2008

The Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN; NYSE:SNN) announced that it has entered into a preferred provider agreement with Apria Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: AHG) to work together to provide negative pressure wound therapy to the US home care market.  Apria will serve as its preferred provider of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) products in the U.S. homecare market.  The distribution agreement covers rental of Smith & Nephew's EZCARE* and V1STA* product systems and sale of associated disposables.

Following the acquisition of BlueSky Medical in May 2007, Smith & Nephew is the first and only wound care company to provide a complete portfolio of advanced wound care solutions including negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). NPWT is a technology used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, as well as post-operative and hard-to-heal wounds. It aids in the healing of open wounds by the application of sub-atmospheric pressure.

Robin Carlstein, Senior Vice President - NPWT Strategic Business Unit, said 'This agreement allows us to collaborate with a company with leadership in the provision of specialty products and services to U.S. homecare patients to create momentum in the market by offering a fresh perspective on NPWT.'

Smith & Nephew's advanced wound management portfolio now includes:

EZCARE - A NPWT system that is designed for simple operation to minimize training requirements and improve efficiency. It has a long battery life, safety alarms, patient lockout and a quiet operation. It also operates at lower vacuum levels enhancing patient comfort and compliance.

V1STA - A NPWT system that is lightweight and easily portable. The device incorporates a range of safety features such as low vacuum alarms for detection of leaks and sensing technology to protect against high vacuum levels.

Both NPWT systems are designed to be used with a range of wound sealing dressing kits, and canisters now offered by Smith & Nephew. The EZCARE and V1STA systems involve simple dressing changes that take less nursing time and are easy to learn and teach.

Joe Woody, President of the Advanced Wound Management division, said 'The combination of Smith & Nephew's advanced technology products and Apria Healthcare's logistics and service expertise and nationwide network will bring greater choice to patients. Smith & Nephew is committed to helping people regain their lives by providing solutions for their advanced wound care needs.'

Enquiries

Investors

Liz Hewitt                                                                       [phone]

Group Director Corporate Affairs

Smith & Nephew

Media

Sue Moody                                                                    [phone]

Global Strategic Marketing Manager

Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management

[e-mail] 

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies. 

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2007 were $3.4 billion.

About Apria Healthcare

Apria provides home infusion therapy, home respiratory therapy and home medical equipment through approximately 550 U.S. locations serving patients in all 50 states. With over $1.6 billion in annual net revenues -- $2.1 billion if the operations of Coram, Inc. (acquired by Apria in December 2007) were included for the full year -- Apria is the leading home healthcare company in the United States. For more information, visit www.apria.com or www.coramhc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases 'aim', 'plan', 'intend', 'anticipate', 'well-placed', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 'target', 'consider' and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the harmonisation of sales practices, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

* Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark Office.

 

END

 

 

NRASFIFFISASEII