November 20, 2014

Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces that its advanced wound dressing, ALLEVYN Life, was awarded the coveted Innovative Technology designation by Novation at its recent Innovative Technology Expo in Irving, Texas.

ALLEVYN Life was awarded the Innovative Technology designation following a review by more than 200 attendees from hospitals around the United States who serve on a Novation council or task force and participated in the Expo. These attendees indicated that Smith & Nephew's ALLEVYN Life offered benefit over other products available on the market. ALLEVYN Life dressing is a multi-layered design incorporating a hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorbent lock away core, and a unique masking layer designed to conform comfortably and securely to the human body.

"The Novation Innovative Technology Expo identifies healthcare products that improve patient outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety," said Olya Carter, RN and Senior Clinical Manager at Novation. "This product incorporates innovative technology aimed to provide an optimal patient experience, which is critical to our membership."

"Smith & Nephew is a leader in wound care that understands patients with wounds face many challenges. We are uniquely positioned to provide wound care solutions through our portfolio of products, services and clinical education, and support across the continuum of care," said François Fournier, President, U.S. Commercial, Advanced Wound Management. "We conducted multiple in-depth interviews and observational sessions with patients, and involved over 850 clinicians from around the world to gain a better understanding of the issues patients face when living with a wound. That feedback inspired the development of ALLEVYN Life."

This new designation will position ALLEVYN Life as an awarded Innovative Technology product within Novation's online contract catalog, which is accessible by the more than 100,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc., UHC, Children's Hospital Association, and Provista. To learn more about Novation's Innovative Technology program, visit www.novationco.com/expertise/technology.

About ALLEVYN™ Life

ALLEVYN Life's unique quadrilobe shape has been designed to fit the contours of the body.[1]-[2] ALLEVYN Life provides cushioning, helps to redistribute pressure and its silicone wound contact layer offers minimal pain and discomfort on removal, while allowing the dressing to be repositioned.[3]-[4] The ALLEVYN Life line also includes dressings specifically designed for the sacrum and heel. ALLEVYN Life Sacrum has a unique tail designed specifically for wounds in the sacral area and fits around the cleft to help overcome common problems such as the dressing tenting. ALLEVYN Life's leakage prevention and excellent fluid locking capabilities provide patients with peace of mind.[5]

About Novation, Winner of the Ethics Inside® Certification 

Founded in 1998, Novation is the leading health care supply chain expertise, analytics and contracting company for the more than 100,000 members and affiliates of VHA Inc. and UHC, two national health care alliances, Children's Hospital Association, an alliance of the nation's leading pediatric facilities, and Provista, LLC. Novation provides alliance members with sourcing services, as well as information and data services. Based in Irving, Texas, Novation develops and manages competitive contracts with more than 800 suppliers. Members of VHA, UHC, Children's Hospital Association and Provista used Novation contracts to purchase approximately $49 billion in 2013. Novation has earned the coveted Ethics Inside® Certification from Ethisphere Institute, a leading international think tank dedicated to the research and promotion of best practices in corporate ethics and compliance. Novation was also named on Ethisphere's World's Most Ethical Companies list and is the only company in the health care industry to earn both distinctions for three consecutive years. To learn more about Novation, please visit http://www.novationco.com and follow @NovationNews.

Enquiries

Christie Teller

817.905.7158

Smith & Nephew

817.916.2242

[1] Smith & Nephew data on file report OR-DOF 020 An open, prospective, randomised, comparative volunteer trial to compare the performance of silicone adhesive dressings. MepilexTM Border. 

[2] Smith & Nephew data on file report OR-DOF 041 An open, prospective, comparative volunteer trial to assess the retention qualities of ALLEVYN Life and BiatainTM Silicone. 

[3] Rossingtom A et al. Clinical performance and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. Wounds UK 2013, Vol 9, No. 4. 

[4] Smith & Nephew Data on File. OR-DOF-001. Results from an open, prospective, randomised within volunteer comparison of ALLEVYN Gentle Border and Mepilex Border. Palmer S. and Smith G. November 2008

[5] Smith & Nephew data on file report DS/12/130/DOF Simulated wound model testing of ALLEVYN Life and Mepilex Border. 

About Smith & Nephew 

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 14,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2013 were more than $4.3 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

For more information about Smith & Nephew, please visit our corporate website 

www.smith-nephew.com, follow @SmithNephewplc on Twitter or visit SmithNephewplc on Facebook.com.


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