Healthpoint Launches Collagenase SANTYL(R) Ointment in Canada

FORT WORTH, Texas and PETERBOROUGH, Ontario, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthpoint today announced that it will begin marketing Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment to healthcare professionals in Canada. SANTYL® Ointment is a selective enzymatic agent indicated for debriding chronic dermal ulcers (e.g., pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, and diabetic ulcers) and severely burned areas, and is now the only enzymatic debrider available in the Canadian market.

Enzymatic debridement refers to the use of certain enzymes (types of proteins) to liquefy necrotic (dead) tissue, thus allowing bioburden to be more easily removed from the wound. As the collagenase enzyme liquefies the collagen fibers within necrotic tissue, the cellular and fibrotic debris (i.e., "bioburden") loosen their connections from each other and the wound bed, so they more easily wash away during routine cleansing at each dressing change.

"Enzymatic debriding agents are particularly well suited for difficult-to-heal and chronic wounds, which have an ongoing tendency to accumulate substantial amounts of necrotic, fibrotic and cellular debris," commented Bert Slade, MD, FAAAAI, Chief Medical Officer at Healthpoint. "Because continuous deposition of this material can impede healing and increase infection risk if allowed to accumulate, the incorporation of a convenient enzymatic debriding ointment into treatment protocols can contribute to improved clinical and quality of life outcomes for Canadian patients."

Effective debridement to remove necrotic tissue, bacterial burden and the cellular debris of dead and abnormal cells is widely recognized as a critical first step in preparing a wound to heal. This consensus is supported by clinical studies that have shown that healing rates improve with increasing efficiency and frequency of debridement. There is also wide agreement that debridement should no longer be considered a one-time event; rather, effective ongoing or maintenance debridement until granulation tissue is well established should be provided to keep the wound free of necrotic, bacterial and cellular barriers that can interfere with the wound's ability to progress toward healing.

Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment is a selective enzymatic debriding agent that contains 250 collagenase units per gram of white petrolatum USP. The enzyme collagenase is derived from the fermentation of Clostridium histolyticum and possesses the ability to liquefy collagen in necrotic tissue without harming healthy granulation tissue.

Healthpoint acquired the rights to market Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment as part of its acquisition of the topical collagenase business from BioSpecifics Technologies Corporation in March 2006. Following transition of manufacturing operations, Healthpoint filed for and received authorization from Health Canada to re-introduce the product into the Canadian market.

"The reintroduction of Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment is a strategic milestone for Healthpoint that reflects our commitment to supporting the brand in the Canadian market," said Jay Nisbet, Senior Director of International Business Development at Healthpoint. "We are particularly pleased that this portfolio extension also represents an important addition to the therapeutic landscape in Canada."

About HEALTHPOINT, Ltd.

Since 1992, HEALTHPOINT has been dedicated to innovative technologies for the prevention and treatment of acute, chronic and burn-related wounds. The company is presently focused on the research and development of novel biologics and pharmaceuticals intended to improve clinical and quality of life outcomes. Currently marketed products include: Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment, OASIS® Wound Matrix, HYDROFERA BLUE® Bacteriostatic Wound Dressings, SURGICEPT® Waterless Surgical Hand Antiseptic and ULTRACEPT™ Antiseptic Handwash. HEALTHPOINT is also committed to advancing the care and treatment of wounds through support of industry leading continuing education from THE WOUND INSTITUTE®. To learn more about this comprehensive and award winning educational resource, please visit TheWoundInstitute.com®. HEALTHPOINT is a DFB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. affiliate company, and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit the HEALTHPOINT website at www.healthpoint.com.

OASIS is a registered trademark of Cook Biotech, Inc.; HYDROFERA BLUE is a registered trademark of Hydrofera, LLC.

SANTYL, SURGICEPT, ULTRACEPT, THE WOUND INSTITUTE and THEWOUNDINSTITUTE.COM are registered trademarks of Healthpoint, Ltd.  

SOURCE Healthpoint