Breast cancer: hope for eased postoperative wound healing

Breast cancer: hope for eased postoperative wound healing

Berlin, April 22, 2013 : Cohera Medical, Inc®. (www.coheramedical.com), an American developer of surgical adhesives and sealants, today announced the completion of a series of breast cancer surgeries with TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive without drain placement. The experience from cases conducted in Berlin and Munich suggests that women who undergo certain types of breast cancer surgery (so called ablatio or mastectomy) may successfully be treated without using drains. In the course of the Charité-Mayo-Conference that took place in Berlin last week, Prof. Dr. Jens-Uwe Blohmer (Sankt Gertrauden-Krankenhaus) discussed the potential of TissuGlu with his colleagues. „Operators have long recognized the limitations and drawbacks of using closed suction drains in mastectomy procedures” says Prof. Blohmer. German plastic surgeons have already demonstrated the use of TissuGlu in other reconstructive methods. Now the surgical adhesive is also being used in breast surgery.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women in Germany. Each year there are about 72,000 new cases (Robert Koch Institut, 2012). Surgery is almost always necessary. In up to 80 percent of the cases, the affected breast can be largely preserved. If this is not possible due to the severity of the disease, the entire breast has to be removed and post-surgical drains are usually placed at the surgical site. “Such an intervention is – for those affected – a major physical and psychological stress,” says Blohmer. The gynecologist is certain: “To provide more relief to patients at this stage would be an important step.” So far, it is common to place at least one drain after removal of the breast, which is used to manage wound fluid. “Drains are very uncomfortable for the patient and require a longer hospital stay,” says Dr. Stefan Paepke (Klinikum rechts der Isar München), who – like Blohmer – has had experience with TissuGlu.

The surgical adhesive can be used in the closing of the surgical wound. It supports the natural healing process by holding the tissue planes together, potentially reducing seroma formation – an important prerequisite for the start of other therapies that are following a breast cancer surgery. “TissuGlu has the potential to transform the healing process following a mastectomy procedure.” said Patrick Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cohera Medical. Blohmer and Paepke have already used the no drain technique in a series of mastectomy cases and are encouraged by the outcomes. “The results are very promising,” said Paepke. The experts are planning a study to evaluate the possibility of treating patients without using drains after a major breast cancer surgery.

Certain statements made throughout this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future plans, objectives and expected performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties and, therefore, there can be no assurance that actual results may not differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

About Cohera Medical
Cohera Medical, Inc.® is a leading innovator and developer of absorbable surgical adhesives and sealants. The Company’s first product, TissuGlu® Surgical Adhesive, is an internal surgical adhesive for large flap surgeries, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), that eliminates or reduces fluid accumulation and the need for post surgical drains. TissuGlu’s chemical composition is resorbable, non-toxic, forms a strong bond between tissue layers and allows for natural healing, which ultimately may enable faster recovery. TissuGlu has received CE Marking approval to be sold in the European Union (EU). Cohera Medical is also developing a unique and proprietary bowel sealant, and a strong adhesive for mesh fixation. Outside of the EU, TissuGlu and the other Cohera products are currently indicated for investigational use only and have not yet been approved for medical use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. or in any other market. For more information, visit www.coheramed.com.

Certain statements made throughout this press release that are not historical facts contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s future plans, objectives and expected performance. Any such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but are subject to a wide range of risks and uncertainties and, therefore, there can be no assurance that actual results may not differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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