LONDON, March 23 /PRNewswire/ --

The 2008 European Tissue Sealants Topical Hemostats Product Differentiation Innovation Award is conferred on Nycomed in recognition of its revolutionary product - TachoSil. The innovative surgical patch, TachoSil is poised to be the future of the European tissue sealants and topical hemostats markets.

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At present, Nycomed, with TachoSil, is the sole company in the market with a ready-to-use dual action patch. TachoSil is unique: it does not fit into any of the standard market segments and constitutes a separate category on its own.

This pioneering product has both haemostatic and sealing properties and can be used to stop bleeding as well seal tissue, explains Frost Sullivan Research Analyst Divya Belle. TachoSil combines the bioactive mechanism of action of human coagulation factors fibrinogen and thrombin with a collagen patch for mechanical support.

TachoSil effectively fulfills the market need for an easy-to-use product with ready-to-use features. TachoSil is safely absorbed by the body within weeks after application. It can be stored at room temperature and is available in three different sized patches which require no preparation before surgical use. Additionally, it minimizes the risk of post-operative re-bleedings, reducing hospital stays and the need for re-operations.

Moreover, due to its strong hemostatic and sealing properties, TachoSil meets the need for products that are able to control bleeding and seal tissue during surgeries. Such multiple attributes have underlined the competitive edge enjoyed by TachoSil.

Most fibrin sealants or hemostats available in the market today are bovine-based. These products have attendant safety concerns related to the bovine protein Aprotinin or bovine thrombin which carries the risk of allergic reactions, autoimmune syndromes and transfer of diseases.

With TachoSil, Nycomed has eliminated Aprotinin, offering a product that is free of bovine components, states Belle. Accordingly, there is no risk of transmittance of bovine diseases since it contains only the coagulation factors - human fibrinogen and human thrombin.

TachoSil has been registering high growth rates of over 20 per cent. Testifying to its efficacy and potential for continued success is the recent agreement entered into by Nycomed with Baxter International, with the latter set to market and distribute the TachoSil patch in the United States, after approval.

The Frost Sullivan Award for Product Differentiation Innovation is presented to the company that has best demonstrated the ability to develop and/or advance products with more innovative capabilities than competing vendors and products. This Award recognises the company's successful adoption of new or existing technology that has become a part of its well-designed product family. Such innovation is expected to significantly contribute to the industry in terms of product performance and degree/rate of technical change.

Frost Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Nycomed

Nycomed is a privately owned global pharmaceutical company with a differentiated portfolio focused on branded medicines in gastroenterology, respiratory and inflammatory diseases, pain, osteoporosis and tissue management.

Its RD is built to be open for partnerships as in-licensing is a cornerstone in the company's growth strategy.

Nycomed employs 12,000 associates worldwide, and its products are available in more than 100 countries. It has strong platforms in Europe and in fast-growing markets such as Russia/CIS, and Latin America. While the US and Japan are commercialised through best-in-class partners, Nycomed will further strengthen its position in key Asian markets.

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the company generated in 2008 total sales of euro 3,4 billion and an adjusted EBITDA of euro 1,2 billion.

For more information visit www.nycomed.com Nycomed Contact Information Jorgen Persson International Marketing Unit Director Nycomed Group P.O. Box 88 Langebjerg 1 DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark Direct Line: +45-46-77-10-57 Mobile: +45-40-95-51-57 Fax: +45-46-75-79-34 E-mail: Joergen.Persson@nycomed.com www.nycomed.com

About Frost Sullivan

Frost Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research, Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership(TM) empower clients to create a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost Sullivan's Growth Partnership Services, visit http://www.frost.com.

Frost Sullivan Contact Information Jasmine Malone - Promotions Coordinator Phone: +44-207-915-7869 E-Mail: jasmine.malone@frost.com

Jorgen Persson, International Marketing Unit Director of Nycomed Group, +45-46-77-10-57, mobile, +45-40-95-51-57, fax, +45-46-75-79-34, Joergen.Persson@nycomed.com; or Jasmine Malone, Promotions Coordinator of Frost Sullivan, 0044 207 915 7869, jasmine.malone@frost.com