US Approves Manuka Honey Wound Dressings

Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), 7/23/2007

Waikato-based Comvita Ltd says its patented "advanced wound care dressing" has become the first using manuka honey for wounds and burns to receive marketing clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA approval heralded an important milestone for Comvita's wound care business, said the company's chief executive Brett Hewlett.

The global advanced wound-care market is worth more than $US4 billion ($NZ5.07 billion), of which the US makes up $US2.3 billion.

"An ageing population and increase in diabetes will continue to be strong drivers for this fast growing category," he said.

Some biologically active honey gathered from manuka contains the compound methylglyoxal, which helps it to battle bacteria causing stomach ulcers, and to promote wound healing…

Derma Sciences recently won clearance to sell Comvita's anti-microbial dressings with manuka honey in Canada. Similar dressings are already approved as anti-microbials in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.