Kerecis Fish Skin Wound Treatment to Be Available for U.S. Military Veterans

MCLEAN, VA--(Marketwired - Apr 4, 2016) - Kerecis Omega3, an innovative fish-skin-based treatment, will soon be available for U.S. military Veterans. Research has shown that the patented material helps heal chronic and hard-to-heal wounds, including diabetic, venous, foot and pressure ulcers.

Kerecis Omega3 is intact fish skin that is rich with naturally occurring Omega3, polyunsaturated fatty acids. This material is used to regenerate damaged human tissue. When inserted onto damaged human tissue such as a diabetic ulcer, the acellular material recruits the body's cells from the wound perimeter. The cells are then incorporated into the acellular fish skin, which is ultimately converted into functional, living tissue. Studies have shown that cells and stem cells proliferate faster in this structure than in other materials such as mammalian-sourced materials.

Kerecis Omega3 Wound will be listed on the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) through MellingMedical, which provides surgical and diabetic solutions to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD).

"The Kerecis product is appropriate for many of the areas we serve, including treatments for diabetics," said Chris Melling, CEO of MellingMedical. The company is registered on the FSS for FSC Group 65 (medical and dental equipment and supplies). MellingMedical provides products in a wide range of categories in that group, including medical and surgical instruments, equipment and supplies, and surgical implants (SIN A-20C, the category that will include the Kerecis product).

"This agreement gives us the opportunity to help Veterans right now, as we research further applications of the product with the DoD for our warriors," said G. Fertram Sigurjonsson, CEO of Kerecis. In conjunction with the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the company is actively researching the use of the Kerecis material to treat battlefield trauma wounds.

About Kerecis

Kerecis develops regenerative technologies based on fish skin and Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The initial Kerecis product, Kerecis Omega3 Wound, has been approved by the FDA and European regulatory authorities for wound healing. The technology is patented in the United States and multiple other countries. The Kerecis wound-healing product has a Medicare "Q" code (Q4158), allowing it to be easily identified and processed by Medicare and private insurance companies.

Production takes place in the Kerecis manufacturing facilities in Iceland. For more information, visit www.kerecis.com. Distributor inquiries are welcome.