Acticoat® products used in 80 burn centers across North America

EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A. - Westaim Biomedical Corp., a subsidiary of The Westaim Corporation, today introduced a 4-inch by 48-inch Acticoat® silver-coated antimicrobial barrier dressing for the treatment of burn wounds that circumfuse large areas such as limbs. The new roll configuration wraps readily around wounds that span curved regions, making the dressing easier for caregivers to apply and improving patient comfort.

Launched in March 1998, Acticoat® dressings have been applied to more than 1,000 burn patients and are now used in more than 80 burn centers across North America, most of which have placed re-orders for Acticoat® products.

“The effectiveness of our Acticoat® dressings led caregivers in burn centers to request a new, roll-format Acticoat® dressing to use on circumferential burns of the trunk or limbs,” said Mike Mancini, Marketing Director at Westaim Biomedical. “Additions to our product line will help us further increase our market penetration and will lead to more orders and reorders of Acticoat® dressings.”

Westaim Biomedical Account Expansion

Layered with nanocrystalline silver, the Acticoat® dressings provide a sustained release of silver, which has long been recognized for its antibacterial and antifungal properties. As silver ions are consumed, additional silver is released from the dressing to produce a long-lasting, effective antimicrobial barrier. As well as burns, the dressing can be used on graft and donor sites, chronic wounds (including pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, etc.) and post-surgical wounds.

The Westaim Corporation specializes in launching high-potential technologies into the marketplace. In addition to Westaim Biomedical, its other technology businesses include: Surface Engineered Products Corp., which has developed surface engineering technologies and materials for severe applications in the petrochemical industry, and Westaim Advanced Display Technologies Inc., which is developing a revolutionary low-cost flat panel display. Westaim also operates three industrial businesses that produce aerospace materials, coin blanks and chemical products. A TSE 300 company, Westaim’s common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, The Alberta Stock Exchange and The Montreal Exchange under the trading symbol WED.


For further information, please contact:

Tony Johnston
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
(403) 234-3103
tjohnsto@westaim.com
www.westaim.com