FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Smith & Nephew announces agreement with Universal Hospital Services, Inc. to manage and distribute Negative Pressure Wound Therapy products October 12 2007 The Advanced Wound Management business unit of Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN; NYSE: SNN) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (UHS) to bring their Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) products to the US rental market through UHS, tapping into UHS's more than 65 years of experience renting, managing and servicing medical equipment to the US health care industry. The distribution agreement covers Smith & Nephew's EZCARE(TM) and V1STA(TM) product systems focusing on the US Acute Care market. UHS will support Smith & Nephew's clinical platform in providing comprehensive wound rentals, logistics and distribution support to customers. UHS is a leading medical equipment lifecycle services company in the US, operating through more than 80 offices and serving health care customers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. UHS's diverse customer base includes more than 3,800 acute care hospitals. The combination of Smith & Nephew's newly acquired NPWT product portfolio, with the medical equipment management and logistics support of UHS, is intended to provide customers with the most efficient access to this advanced technology for the solution of their wound care needs. Joe Woody, President of the Advanced Wound Management division said, "I believe this alliance allows us to deliver our innovative customer solutions with the right customer focus." Robin Carlstein, Senior Vice President - NPWT Strategic Business Unit added, "This is a great combination of two companies providing leadership in their respective business areas; Smith & Nephew in wound management and UHS's medical equipment management and logistics expertise." Gary D Blackford, Chairman and CEO of UHS commented: "Our new relationship with Smith & Nephew will bring more competition in the area of equipment based wound care therapies, and more comprehensive solutions for the treatment of wounds for patients. This is a win for both patients and caregivers." Enquiries Sidonie Myers Tel: +44 (0) 1482 673246 Head of Communication Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management sidonie.myers@smith-nephew.com Notes for Editors Following the recent acquisition of BlueSky Medical, Smith & Nephew is the first and only wound care company to provide negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). NPWT is a technology used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, as well as post-operative and hard-to-heal wounds. It aids in the healing of open wounds by the application of sub-atmospheric pressure. Smith & Nephew has now added a range of NPWT products to its advanced wound management portfolio including: EZCARE(TM) - A NPWT system that is designed for simple operation to minimise training requirements and improve efficiency. It has a long battery life, safety alarms, patient lockout and a quiet operation. It also operates at lower vacuum levels enhancing patient comfort and compliance. V1STA(TM) - A NPWT system that is lightweight and easily portable. The device incorporates a range of safety features such as low vacuum alarms for detection of leaks and sensing technology to protect against high vacuum levels. Both NPWT systems are designed to be used with a range of wound sealing dressing kits, and canisters now offered by Smith & Nephew. The EZCARE and V1STA systems involve simple dressing changes that take less nursing time and are easy to learn and teach. About Smith & Nephew Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management is headquartered in the United Kingdom. The organisation has manufacturing centres in the United Kingdom and Largo, FL. Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2006 were nearly $2.8 billion. About UHS Universal Hospital Services, Inc. (UHS) is a leading, nationwide provider of medical equipment outsourcing and services to the US health care industry. Its customers include national, regional, and local acute care hospitals, alternate site providers (such as nursing homes and home care providers) and medical equipment manufacturers. As a leading medical equipment lifecycle services company, UHS designs and offers comprehensive solutions for its customers that reduce costs, increase equipment and staff productivity and support optimal patient care. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. (TM) Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark Office. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
Smith & Nephew PLC announces Agreement with UHS re NPWT
| Source: Smith & Nephew PLC
London, UK--(Marketwire - October 12, 2007) -