Aesculap is Awarded Wound Closure Agreement with Amerinet

ST. LOUIS -- Aesculap announces that is has been awarded supplier agreements with Amerinet, a national healthcare group purchasing organization.  The two agreements, effective Feb. 1, 2008 through Jan. 31, 2011, provides Amerinets more than 2,000 acute care members access to Aesculaps high-quality sutures and Histoacryl tissue adhesive products.

While a supplier on the previous contract for sutures, this new contract extends to Amerinet members access to one of Aesculaps latest wound closure products - - - Histoacryl tissue adhesive.  Approved by the FDA for sale in the United States in February 2007, Histoacryl and Histoacryl Blue are two versions of the topical skin adhesive that has been widely used in Europe and the rest of the world. Histoacryl is available in optically clear and blue formulations. Both formulations polymerize in seconds, require only a single-layer application, and provide one of the highest bond strength of all FDA-approved topical skin adhesives.  As a result, surgeons are able to close wounds and incisions with a precise, single-application adhesive that offers great cosmetic results as well as faster application without compromising the strength of the wound closure.

"Aesculap has a long history of delivering exceptional products and value to our members, stated Gene Byerly, Amerinet vice president of medical surgical. We are excited to have Aesculap as a partner for these wound closure products.  This agreement demonstrates Aesculaps ongoing commitment to providing Amerinet members with high-quality products that provide both clinical benefit and cost-saving opportunities.

Histoacryl is manufactured by B. Braun and has been marketing outside the United States for more than 30 years.  In the United States, Histoacryl is distributed by the Aesculap subsidiary of B. Braun in partnership with TissueSeal LLC.