Collaboration Between HemCon and OHSU is Awarded Additional NIH Grant with Total Value of $1.1M for the Development of a Transurethral Hemostatic Device

PORTLAND, Ore., May 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- TriStar Wellness Solutions(R), Inc. (OTCQB: TWSI) a health and wellness company that targets opportunities in the advanced wound care marketplace, announced today that its Portland, Oregon based wholly owned independent subsidiary HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. (HemCon) has been awarded funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a novel chitosan endoluminal hemostatic dressing that is able to be delivered by a catheter to control and prevent prostatic bleeding during prostatic surgery such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) will work with HemCon as a subcontractor on development of the dressing.

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Prostate benign hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are two of the most common urologic diseases that are treated with surgical intervention in older men. The Department of Health and Human Services report approximately 150,000 prostatic surgical procedures performed in the U.S. annually¹. Uncontrolled bleeding associated with transurethral and open prostatic surgical procedures often results in delayed healing, increased patient discomfort and ultimately prolonged hospitalization which significantly increases the cost of patient care.

The chitosan endoluminal hemostatic dressing development will enable rapid control of bleeding, reduce discomfort associated with extended catheterization, and more significantly enable reduction in hospital stays and expenditure.  A previous Phase I award demonstrated feasibility of the chitosan endoluminal hemostatic dressing, its incorporation into a urinary catheter device, and its use to control bleeding in a large animal model. The Phase II funding that has now been awarded provides for development of a final balloon-delivered hemostatic system.

"Uncontrolled prostatic bleeding is a significant problem. By employing current bleeding control measures, prostatic bleeding can take from 24 to 72 hours to stop with significant associated hospitalization cost. Because of this extended hospitalization, we estimate the cost of prostatic procedures in U.S. and Europe alone to exceed $USD 9 billion annually. Globally, the cost is substantially greater," said Simon McCarthy, Chief Scientist of HemCon.  "It is projected that development of solutions such as the chitosan endoluminal hemostatic dressing will provide not only improved surgical outcomes by controlling post-op hemorrhage, but also substantial savings in procedure time and length of hospital stay." Dr. Hua Xie of OHSU added, "If successful, the development of the chitosan endoluminal hemostatic dressing could translate globally into significant dollars saved in prostatectomy procedure cost and significantly improved patient outcomes."  

"Research reported in this press release was supported by the National Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R42DK078400. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health."

References

1. HCUP, National Statistics Trend Information 1993-2010 Transurethral Prostatectomy and Open Prostatectomy, 2010, US Department of Health and Human Services.

About HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc.

HemCon Medical Technologies Inc., founded in 2001, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative technologies for hemostatic devices for the control of bleeding resulting from trauma or surgery. HemCon products are designed for use by military and civilian first responders as well as medical professionals in hospital and clinical settings where control of bleeding are of critical importance. HemCon is headquartered in Portland, Ore. The Company has subsidiaries in Ireland and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit www.hemcon.com.

About Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon Health & Science University (www.ohsu.edu) is a nationally prominent research university and Oregon's only public academic health center. It serves patients throughout the region with a Level 1 trauma center and nationally recognized Doernbecher Children's Hospital. OHSU operates dental, medical, nursing and pharmacy schools that rank high both in research funding and in meeting the university's social mission. OHSU's Knight Cancer Institute helped pioneer personalized medicine through a discovery that identified how to shut down cells that enable cancer to grow without harming healthy ones. OHSU Brain Institute scientists are nationally recognized for discoveries that have led to a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease and new treatments for Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and stroke. OHSU's Casey Eye Institute is a global leader in ophthalmic imaging, and in clinical trials related to eye disease.

About TriStar Wellness Solutions

TriStar Wellness Solutions®, Inc. (OTCQB:TWSI) is a health and wellness company that targets opportunities in the advanced wound care marketplace. TriStar is the owner of HemCon Medical Technologies Inc., a company dedicated to saving lives through innovative wound care solutions.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release for TriStar Wellness Solutions®, Inc. contains forward-looking statements. Generally, you can identify these statements because they use words like "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "future," "intends," "plans," and similar terms. These statements reflect only our current expectations. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy and actual results may differ materially from those we anticipated due to a number of uncertainties, many of which are unforeseen, including, among others, the risks we face as described our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this press release. To the extent that such statements are not recitations of historical fact, such statements constitute forward-looking statements that, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties. In any forward-looking statement where we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation of belief will be accomplished.

Web site: http://www.tstarwellness.com  

Contact:
Stephanie Wiegman
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SOURCE TriStar Wellness Solutions, Inc.