SyntheMed Announces FDA Clearance of Sinus...( ISELIN N.J. Nov. 19 /- SyntheMed Inc....)

ISELIN, N.J., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SyntheMed, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SYMD) announced today that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance to market SinusShield(TM), a bioresorbable membrane intended to prevent post-operative adhesions in nasal and sinus surgical procedures. There are approximately two million nasal and sinus procedures performed annually in the United States.

Robert P. Hickey, SyntheMed's President & CEO stated, "SinusShield represents an example of our strategy to capitalize on our proprietary polymer film technology in new surgical applications both in the United States and international markets." The company is in discussion with prospective partners with the distribution infrastructure to service the office-based and hospital outpatient sites where these procedures are performed.

About SinusShield(TM)

SinusShield is a bioresorbable polymer membrane indicated for use in patients undergoing nasal and sinus surgical procedures as a space-occupying stent to separate and prevent adhesions between mucosal surfaces. During surgical procedures involving the sinuses and sinus passages, it is common for surgeons to place silastic tubes or sheets in the sinus passages to prevent blockage caused by adhesion formation; however, these materials must often be removed in a second procedure. SinusShield is intended to prevent blockage and then biodegrade thereby eliminating the second procedure.

About SyntheMed, Inc.

SyntheMed, Inc. is a biomaterials company engaged in the development and commercialization of anti-adhesion products and other surgical implants based on its proprietary bioresorbable polymer technology. The company is developing a portfolio of anti-adhesion products led by REPEL-CV(R) Adhesion Barrier, an anti-adhesion product intended for use in open heart surgical procedures. REPEL-CV is currently marketed internationally and is
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