PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Derma Sciences, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: DSCI), a specialty medical device and pharmaceutical company focused on advanced wound care, today released an independent laboratory report indicating that the company's BIOGUARD barrier gauze dressings exhibit high antiviral efficacy against the H1N1 virus. This new information increases the applicability of the dressings, which have already been shown to have high efficacy against virulent bacteria such as MRSA.

Although human-to-human transmission of H1N1 virus can occur through coughing or sneezing by people infected with the influenza virus, or by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching one's mouth or nose, the potential also exists of transmission via cross-contamination during wound dressing changes. This is especially true if the dressing is soaked with wound fluid, which can increase the time the virus survives in the dressing. When an infected wound's dressing is changed, pathogens within the dressing are potentially made airborne, increasing the risk of infection to those in the immediate vicinity. Wound care patients also run the risk of being infected by a virus as their dressings are changed. The H1N1 virus can be easily transmitted from the wound dressings to the hands of healthcare workers, while small airborne droplets of wound fluid with H1N1 can be inhaled by doctors, nurses or patients.

"This laboratory report provides timely evidence that BIOGUARD dressings can have a role to play, not only as an antibacterial in infection prevention programs, but also as a tool to help decrease the spread of the H1N1 virus," said Edward J. Quilty, Chairman and CEO of Derma Sciences. "These patented dressings harness the antimicrobial properties of a unique biocide known as Poly(DADMAC), which is inherently bactericidal and has been shown to be nontoxic in the standard battery of required biocompatibility tests."

Quilty added that use of BIOGUARD dressings involve virtually no chance of developing resistant bacterial strains, making the dressing ideal for widespread prophylactic usage. "From a global perspective, our objective is to develop BIOGUARD(TM) as the cost-effective dressing that clinicians utilize for infection prevention. Its patented design makes it an ideal dressing for this use."

About Derma Sciences

Derma Sciences is a specialty medical device / pharmaceutical company focusing on advanced wound care. Its key product, MEDIHONEY®, is sold throughout the world by Derma Sciences and Comvita New Zealand -- the licensor of the patented honey-based technology -- and is the leading brand of honey-based dressings for the management of wounds and burns. The product has been shown to be effective in a variety of wounds and burns, and was the focus of a positive large-scale randomized controlled trial on leg ulcers. BIOGUARD(TM) Barrier Dressing is the Company's latest new product entrant into the $14 billion global wound care market. Derma also has in development DSC127, a novel angiotensin analog for accelerated wound healing and scar reduction. Patient enrollment for a Phase II study began in Q4 of 2008. Primary endpoint results from this study are expected to be announced within Q3 of 2010.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "estimate" or "continue" are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that certain important factors may affect the Company's actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be made in this release or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company. Factors which may affect the Company's results include, but are not limited to, product demand, market acceptance, impact of competitive products and prices, product development, completion of an acquisition, commercialization or technological difficulties, the success or failure of negotiations and trade, legal, social and economic risks. Additional factors that could cause or contribute to differences between the Company's actual results and forward-looking statements include but are not limited to, those discussed in the Company's fillings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Derma Sciences, Inc.
Edward J. Quilty
Chairman and CEO
equilty@dermasciences.com
(609) 514- 4744
The Investor Relations Group
Jason Strominger (Investor Relations)
Janet Vasquez (Media Relations)
212-825-3210