TEI Biosciences Announces the Market Launch of PriMatrix™ Ag, an Antimicrobial Dermal Repair Scaffold with Ionic Silver

BOSTON, July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- TEI Biosciences Inc. announced today the market launch of PriMatrix™ Ag Antimicrobial Dermal Repair Scaffold, an acellular dermal tissue matrix incorporating ionic silver, for the management of wounds, ulcers and second degree burns.  

Ionic silver is a broad spectrum antimicrobial and in PriMatrix Ag it acts to inhibit microbial colonization of the tissue matrix.  PriMatrix Ag has been shown in CLSI Disc Susceptibility testing to be effective against a range of bacteria of concern in burn and wound management, including MRSA and VRE.

"We're very excited to add PriMatrix Ag to our portfolio of novel biologic products," said Yiannis Monovoukas, Ph.D., TEI's Chairman, President and CEO. "Like PriMatrix, PriMatrix Ag exhibits minimal detrimental inflammatory response.  When applied to the wound, both matrices rapidly fill with blood, binding both cells and growth factors that aid in wound healing. The antimicrobial activity of silver ions prevents microbial colonization of the device, providing at-risk patients with greater protection against infection," said Dr. Monovoukas.

About PriMatrix™ Ag Antimicrobial Dermal Repair Scaffold

PriMatrix Ag Antimicrobial Dermal Repair Scaffold has all of the features and benefits of PriMatrix, but also incorporates ionic silver, which inhibits microbial colonization of the tissue matrix. PriMatrix Ag is proven effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria species of concern in burn and wound care patients, including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumonia, Listeria monocytogenes, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE), Acinetobacter baumanni and Streptococcis pyrogenes.

About PriMatrix™ Dermal Repair Scaffold

PriMatrix™ Dermal Repair Scaffold is an acellular collagen matrix derived from fetal bovine dermis, one of the purest forms of collagen available. PriMatrix provides an ideal environment to support cellular repopulation and revascularization processes critical in wound healing. PriMatrix is particularly rich in Type III collagen, a natural component of fetal dermis that is active in developing and healing tissues. PriMatrix is intended for the management of wounds that include: skin ulcers; trauma wounds; second degree burns; partial and full thickness wounds; surgical wounds; post-Mohs surgery; and tunneled wounds.  

About TEI Biosciences Inc.

A Boston-based, privately-held, leading biomedical company, TEI Biosciences has applied its expertise in regenerative medicine to develop and commercialize novel biologic devices for a broad spectrum of soft tissue repair and regeneration applications – from dura, tendon and hernia repair to plastic and reconstructive surgery and wound healing.

TEI sells its products directly and through partnerships with some of the world's major medical device companies.  TEI's marketed products include:

• SurgiMend® and SurgiMend® PRS for plastic & reconstructive surgery, soft tissue reconstruction, hernia repair and muscle flap reinforcement
• PriMatrix™ and PriMatrix™ Ag Antimicrobial for skin wound management
• Durepair® for cranial dura repair (marketed by Medtronic)
• Xenform™ for pelvic floor reconstruction (marketed by Boston Scientific)
• TissueMend® for tendon augmentation (marketed by Stryker)

SOURCE TEI Biosciences Inc.