Surgeons at University of California San Diego Perform 1st TRAM Flap Procedure in an International Multi-Center Study Using TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh, the World's 1st Long-Term Resorbable Mesh

SINGAPORE, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Novus Scientific Pte. Ltd, a Singapore company, announced today that Dr. James Chao of the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has operated on his first TRAM Flap patient using TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh.

This is part of the international multi-center, randomized trial "Abdominal Wall Closure After Lipectomy, TRAM/DIEP Flap – Comparison of TIGR® Matrix (100% Resorbable) vs Polypropylene (Permanent) Mesh". This ground-breaking study involves UCSD in the U.S. as well as the National University Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospitals in Singapore.

"We're pleased to operate on our 1st patient for this study as we certainly see a trend towards bio-absorbable meshes and a move away from permanent meshes in abdominal wall and hernia repairs. TIGR® Matrix potentially gives the body optimal time to grow strong, functional tissue, yet avoids long-term complications associated with permanent meshes. We will be monitoring the patient with great interest during follow up." - James J. Chao, MD FACS, Study Investigator, Professor of Plastic Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Medical Centre

"We're very pleased to have Professor James Chao of UCSD as a collaborator in this multi-center study as he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this area. If this study confirms TIGR® Matrix to be significantly better, this will influence our TRAM Flap treatment protocol to use a long-term 100% resorbable mesh rather than a permanent polypropylene mesh in the future. I'm sure surgeons and patients will be delighted to have a 100% synthetic option available that avoids long-term mesh complications."- Associate Professor Thiam Chye Lim, Principal Investigator & Head of Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore.

"The participation of UCSD in this study is very exciting as it will result in crucial US study data for TIGR® Matrix," said Thomas Engstrom, CEO & President of Novus Scientific. "TIGR® Matrix is designed to be strong when you need it and gone when you don't when delivering the best possible long-term outcome for the patient. It is very satisfying to see the product being adopted so enthusiastically by experts such as Prof. Chao."

About TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh

TIGR® Matrix is the World's 1st Long-Term Resorbable Synthetic Mesh. Product R&D and the first patent were initiated in 2004 and it was cleared by the U.S. FDA for use in reinforcement of soft tissues where weakness exists and launched for sale in the United States in 2010. TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh is being used successfully for numerous surgical repairs including: inguinal hernia, TRAM/DIEP Flap donor site and ventral hernia. Surgical procedures have been performed in the Far East and Europe as well as in the United States.

About Novus Scientific

Novus Scientific (www.novusscientific.com) is an innovator in the development and commercialization of resorbable synthetic medical devices. Global HQ is in Singapore while European Headquarters and the core R&D function are in Uppsala, Sweden. The company's roots are Swedish as all the founders of Novus Scientific are previous owners / senior managers / members of the soft tissue-engineering project within Uppsala-based, Radi Medical Systems AB (now owned by St. Jude Medical Inc). The U.S. Division, Novus Scientific, Inc. is headquartered near Boston, one of the world's foremost medical research cities. From this hub, Novus Scientific, Inc. will distribute TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh throughout the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

TIGR® is a trademark of Novus Scientific Pte. Ltd

CONTACT: Tac-Whei Ong, +65 9179 6661, [email protected]; or Jim Archetto, [email protected], +1-508-769-5902 (U.S. Office)

SOURCE Novus Scientific Pte. Ltd