Press Releases

Company Signs Five-Year Sole-Source Distribution Agreement with Cardinal Health

PORTLAND, Ore., and DUBLIN, Ohio, June 23, 2010 — HemCon Medical Technologies Inc. today announced the launch of the HemCon© GuardIVa™ Antimicrobial Hemostatic IV Dressing, the only antimicrobial dressing containing both a hemostatic compound and the antiseptic agent chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG). The company also announced a five-year sole-source distribution agreement with Cardinal Health to provide the new dressing to hospitals and surgery centers in single sterile units and within Cardinal Health Presource® procedure packs.

Because of its proprietary hemostatic compound, GuardIVa can be used in the first 24 hours after placement of IV devices to control bleeding and provide immediate antimicrobial protection to the IV site. GuardIVa is also able to absorb up to 11 times its own weight in fluid, reducing the need for frequent dressing changes.

GuardIVa’s CHG base also provides more effective and sustained antimicrobial activity over a seven-day span than the silver base used in other antimicrobial dressings.¹ The use of CHG-based dressings helps protect against micro-organisms such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).

“GuardIVa’s superior hemostatic and antimicrobial qualities reduce the need for frequent dressing changes and provide a complete and cost-effective solution to help drive patient safety and IV site infection management,” said John W. Morgan, CEO of HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. “We’re excited to be able to partner with Cardinal Health to extend this complete IV site care solution to its customer base of infection specialists and health care professionals leading the charge for infection control.”

Central Venous Catheters (CVCs) and Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) are among the ideal applications for GuardIVa.

“We know there is a heightened focus on infection prevention, especially as it relates to catheter-related bloodstream infections,” said Debra Schotz, senior vice president of Patient Care at Cardinal Health. “By including GuardIVa in our portfolio in addition to our full line of Presource standard and custom kits, we’re helping our customers comply with recommendations from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement calling for maximal barrier protection and a kit or central line bundle to improve compliance for catheter insertion and maintenance procedures.” ²

For product information, Cardinal Health customers should contact their nursing products or Presource sales representative. Information is also available through Cardinal Health by calling Jaime Simon at (614) 553-4663 for single sterile use or Crystal Humphreys at (614) 553-5263 for in-kit use.

About HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc.
HemCon Medical Technologies Inc. is a leading global developer of advanced medical products designed to improve the standard of patient care. The company is responsible for developing the chitosan-based HemCon dressing used by thousands of military and civilian first responders and is changing wound care best practices in hospital, dental and clinical settings. In addition, HemCon is leading the charge to develop and license unique, life-saving medical advances including lyophilized human plasma and nanofiber technologies for wound care. HemCon is headquartered in Portland, Ore., with additional commercial operations in Ireland, England, Germany and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit www.hemcon.com.

About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is a $96 billion health care services company that improves the cost-effectiveness of health care. As the business behind health care, Cardinal Health helps pharmacies, hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices focus on patient care while reducing costs, improving efficiency and quality, and increasing profitability. Cardinal Health is an essential link in the health care supply chain, providing pharmaceuticals and medical products to more than 60,000 locations each day. The company is also a leading manufacturer of medical and surgical products, including gloves, surgical apparel and fluid management products. In addition, the company supports the growing diagnostic industry by supplying medical products to clinical laboratories and operating the nation's largest network of radiopharmacies that dispense products to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of disease. Ranked #17 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 30,000 people worldwide. More information about the company may be found at cardinalhealth.com.

¹ Bhende, Shubhangi, et. al.. “In vitro Antimicrobial Effectiveness of 5 Catheter Insertion-Site Dressings” The Journal of the Association for Vascular Access. Winter 2007. Vol 12 #4. GuardIVa & BioPatch: HemCon independent testing. Data on file at HemCon Medical Technologies Europe Ltd.

Online:
² http://www.ihi.org/IHI/Topics/CriticalCare/IntensiveCare/Changes/ImplementtheCentralLineBundle.htm