Smith & Nephew Announces FDA Approval Of Burn Indication For VERSAJET(TM) In The USA

Smith & Nephew's (NYSE:
SNN; LSE: SN) Advanced Wound Management division, announced today that the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a label amendment for its
advanced surgical wound management product, VERSAJET(TM). VERSAJET has
received burn indication clearance from the FDA, in addition to its
approval for the surgical debridement (removal of dead tissue) of a wide
variety of other wounds, including chronic and acute wounds.


The VERSAJET Hydrosurgery System is a specialized waterjet-powered
surgical device designed to establish a new standard of patient care and
procedural efficiency in surgical wound management. Accelerating a hair
thin stream of fluid to supersonic speeds, the system enables surgeons to
simultaneously grasp, cut and remove damaged tissue and contaminants
precisely, without collateral tissue damage associated with current
surgical treatment methods.


VERSAJET is used in many surgical specialties for the debridement of
wounds, including in orthopedic, vascular, podiatric, plastic and general
surgery.


Recent publications from distinguished medical establishments
(Harborview Medical Center, WA and University Hospital of Tubingen,
Germany) have demonstrated the benefits of VERSAJET usage in burn
treatment.


"As a result of our clinical experience gained from the use with the
VERSAJET system, this modality represents a useful and adjunctive tool for
the debridement and management of thermally injured tissue. Its ability to
debride irregular and complex contours which can often be quite difficult
to effect with conventional knives has proven particularly advantageous."


"VERSAJET's ability to effectively remove dead and contaminated tissue
while preserving the healthy, living tissue below continues to benefit
patients and surgeons," said Joe Woody, President, Smith & Nephew Advanced
Wound Management. "The expansion of VERSAJET's labeling provides another avenue of growth for Smith & Nephew."


Smith & Nephew acquired VERSAJET from HydroCision (Boston, MA) in 2004. VERSAJET is now available in all major markets and continues to drive
revenue and market share for Smith & Nephew as part of a portfolio of
innovative and customer focused brands.


Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management, with headquarters in Hull, UK
employs more than 2,500 people around the world with approximately half
based in their main manufacturing facility in Hull. The organization also
has manufacturing centres in the USA in Largo, Florida.