Congress Approves $800,000 for Study of TheraGauze® as potential Smart Wound Dressing for MRSA-infected Battlefield Wounds.

Moisture Regulating Product shows promise as platform for delivering topical antimicrobials NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia (February 10, 2010) – Soluble Systems, LLC announces that funding has been approved in the 2010 Defense Appropriations Bill to support a Stage 1 multi-site clinical study to investigate TheraGauze as a new battlefield wound dressing and antimicrobial release platform. This smart dressing shows promise for preventing and treating infection, speeding healing and ultimately reducing the morbidity associated with battlefield injuries. The military has identified TheraGauze as an advanced “smart” dressing that could help reduce complications due to infection in battlefield wounds. Initial research has shown that TheraGauze can heal certain chronic wounds faster than the current medical gold standard. Laboratory testing also shows TheraGauze to be an effective release platform to deliver antibiotics to the wound site. Advanced research is required to confirm these capabilities in acute battlefield injuries and against serious infections, including methicilin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The multi-site study will be conducted at four highly regarded medical facilities and benefit from the involvement of nationally recognized infectious disease experts. Planned facilities include Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, The University of Cincinnati Medical Center, and the Eastern Virginia Medical School. The overall program will be directed by investigators at the Combat Casualty Care Research Program at Fort Detrick in Maryland. Allan Staley, President of Soluble Systems, LLC comments, “TheraGauze, since introduction in late 2007, has proven invaluable in the fight against chronic wounds. TheraGauze saves limbs, lives, and improves patient’s quality of life. We are excited to be part of this major effort to bring the same benefits to our wounded warriors.” What is TheraGauze? TheraGauze is an advanced polymer wound dressing. It is the first dressing to deploy a proprietary Skin Moisture Rebalancing Technology (SMRT) in the form of an inert breathable polymer. This advanced polymer can sense and respond to different moisture needs in the same complex wound. It senses and donates moisture to dry areas. At the same time, it senses and pulls excessive moisture away from wet areas. This same “SMRT” technology also allows TheraGauze to control delivery of antimicrobial protection for extended periods of time. TheraGauze has been used to successfully treat chronic wounds on hundreds of thousands of patients. For additional information about TheraGauze, visit http://www.solublesystems.com. About Soluble Systems, LLC: Soluble Systems, LLC is the manufacturer and distributor of advanced wound care products under the brand names TheraGauze® and TheraSkin®. TheraGauze is manufactured in a certified clean room environment pursuant to FDA regulations in Hampton, Virginia. Corporate offices are located in Newport News, Virginia. ###