Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Receives Approval from European Medicines Agency for Evicel Liquid Fibrin Sealant (Human)

OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Omrix” or the “Company”), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops and markets biosurgical and immunotherapy products, announced today that it has received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for Evicel, the Company’s liquid fibrin sealant.


The EMEA’s approval permits EVICEL to be marketed in Europe under the following indication, “As a supportive treatment in surgery where standard surgical techniques are insufficient for improvement of hemostasis. Evicel is also indicated as suture support for hemostasis in vascular surgery.”

EVICEL is currently marketed in the US by Johnson & Johnson Wound Management, a division of ETHICON, INC., a Johnson & Johnson company, with a general hemostasis in surgery indication.

With an EMEA approval, EVICEL is licensed for marketing in the 27 countries of the European Union, or EU. Per the terms of Omrix’ and ETHICON’s supply and distribution agreement, ETHICON has the marketing rights for the EU.

About EVICEL

EVICEL™ is an all-human, plasma-derived fibrin sealant currently indicated in the US as an adjunct to hemostasis for use in patients undergoing surgery, when control of bleeding by standard surgical techniques is ineffective or impractical. It does not contain aprotinin, which has been associated with adverse health effects. EVICEL™ is easy to use and readily available for time-sensitive needs in the operating room. The product is sold as a frozen liquid and requires less than one minute preparation time after thawing.

About Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

Omrix is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets protein-based biosurgery and passive immunotherapy products. Omrix' biosurgery product line includes products and product candidates that are used for the control of bleeding, or hemostasis, and other surgical applications. The Company's passive immunotherapy product line includes antibody-rich products and product candidates for the treatment of immune deficiencies, infectious diseases and potential biodefense applications.

Contact:

Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Francesca M. DeMartino, 212-887-6510
Senior Director, Investor Relations
francesca.demartino@omrix.com

Source: OMRIX Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

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