FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Smith & Nephew announces the global launch of new ALLEVYN* Ag Gentle and ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border antimicrobial dressings HULL, UK 16 September 2009 - Smith & Nephew's (LSE :SN ; NYSE:SNN) Advanced Wound Management division, announced today that it is launching two extensions to the ALLEVYN Ag range of dressings; ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border and ALLEVYN Ag Gentle. These dressings will combine the antimicrobial protection of silver with the gentleness of silicone and soft gel adhesives that have been specifically designed to minimise pain to the patient and trauma to the wound at dressing removal. These two new exciting ALLEVYN Ag variants are available in a range of sizes and offer patients living with a wound and clinicians three key benefits: antimicrobial protection to help fight infection; minimal pain on removal at dressing change and superior fluid management thanks to the unique triple action technology of ALLEVYN. Roger Teasdale, President, Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management, said, "The addition of these two new ALLEVYN Ag variants will undoubtedly add to the growing success of ALLEVYN and will enable us to maintain our position as the leading global brand within the foam dressings market. ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border provides the perfect opportunity to reinforce the perception of Smith & Nephew as leading the way in woundcare as we will be the first company to offer an adhesive bordered silicone silver product which combines the benefits of silver and silicone gel technology. I am pleased that we have been able to enhance the ALLEVYN Ag range in a way which offers additional benefits and choice to our customers and which will continue to improve the quality of life for patients living with a wound." It was encouraging to note that these new additions were enthusiastically greeted by US clinicians following their recent launch: "An innovative new dressing which provides antimicrobial protection, as well as the ability to remove and re-apply without disruption of the wound base, which is suitable for many types of wounds especially skin tears" Paula Kotz, BSN, RN, C, CWOCN, E.T. Consultant Services Inc., Asheville, NC. The launch of ALLEVYN Ag Gentle and ALLEVYN Ag Gentle Border means that we now offer a complete range of foam dressings for infected as well as non infected wounds and are in the unique position of being able to provide a clinically proven and cost effective solution for all customers foam dressing needs. For more information regarding Smith & Nephew, please visit our Web site at http://www.smith-nephew.com Inquiries Press Sidonie Myers Head of Communication Smith & Nephew Advanced Wound Management +44 (0) 1482 673246 Investors and Analysts Phil Cowdy Director Investor Relations Smith & Nephew +44 (0) 20 7401 7646 About Smith & Nephew Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. 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 2008 were nearly USD3.8 billion. 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. *Trademark of Smith & Nephew This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END
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