US Wound-Care Firm Signs Deal with NZ Medicinal Honey Producer

Wound-Care Company Announces Licensing Deal with Comvita
Medical Patent Week, 3/19/2006

Derma Sciences, Inc., (DSCI) announced that the company has entered into a long-term exclusive licensing deal with Comvita, Ltd., a New Zealand-based natural health products company.

The licensing deal, which includes patents and other intellectual property, covers the use of Comvita's Medical Manuka honey-based products for the management of chronic wounds, skin tears, post operative wounds, and burns.

Under the agreement, Derma Sciences will receive the exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights to the products throughout the Americas (North, Central, and South)…

Edward J. Quilty, president and CEO of Derma Sciences, said, "We are delighted to enter into this exclusive agreement with Comvita. Comvita has a strong reputation for utilizing raw materials from natural sources and is highly regarded in the natural health products industry. Honey has been used for its healing properties for thousands of years, and the unique qualities found in manuka honey have been shown in clinical studies to be effective in the management of leg ulcers, pressure sores, and post operative conditions. It's capable of treating some of the more antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, a significant and growing problem for hospitals."…