Systagenix to launch EPIFIX® amniotic membrane allograft for acute and chronic wounds

March 20, 2012 - PRLog -- Systagenix (Gatwick, U.K.), announced today that it will launch EPIFIX® in the United States in March as part of a global distribution agreement reached with MiMedx Group, Inc. EPIFIX® is a human amniotic membrane allograft which has been shown to promote regeneration of soft tissues. Processed by Surgical Biologics, a MiMedx Group company, EPIFIX® is a minimally manipulated natural membrane that provides growth factors and an extracellular matrix for cellular ingrowth for enhanced healing.

Key advantages of the graft are that it is easy to handle and stable at room temperature.
EPIFIX® comes with a 5-year shelf life, which is substantially longer compared to other products in this area, and does not require a cold supply chain.

The unique proprietary PurionSM process avoids compromising the delicate structure of the amniotic membrane and testing has confirmed that EPIFIX® retains several growth factors associated with promoting cell proliferation.

Amniotic membrane allograft has been used for various types of reconstructive surgical procedures since the early 1900s, including over 40,000 ophthalmic procedures to date in the US involving the Surgical Biologics/MiMedx allografts without a single adverse event related to the tissue. The agreement between Systagenix and MiMedx is expected to lead to increased usage of EPIFIX® in wound care.

“The U.S. launch of EPIFIX® by Systagenix will strengthen our leadership position in the advanced wound care therapies segment, building on our success with PROMOGRAN® and PROMOGRAN PRISMA®. With no need for cold supply chain, a 5-year shelf life and outstanding clinical performance, we believe this tissue will offer a much improved proposition for those clinicians that use these types of grafts on a regular basis” said Joel Pickering, General Manager, Systagenix U.S.  

Launches in other countries will follow pending appropriate regulatory approvals.
Established in 2008, following the acquisition of Johnson & Johnson’s advanced wound care business, Systagenix supplies advanced wound dressings into over 100 countries worldwide.

Information on Systagenix wound care can be found at www.systagenix.com.