3M Health Care to Distribute Unique Wound Closure Device

The license agreement builds on 3M Health Care's reputation andglobal presence in surgical and wound care products. "Adding theClozeX family of products to 3M Health Care's existing wound closureportfolio provides a time-saving option to surgeons and other medicalspecialists for painless, needleless closure of surgical incisions andlacerations," said Dr. J. Michael McQuade, division vice president, 3MMedical Division. "The licensing agreement allows us to combineinnovative ClozeX technology with 3M's expertise in wound care todeliver easy-to-use, skin-friendly solutions to surgeons andclinicians."

A variety of surgeons and physicians in different medicalspecialties currently use ClozeX Wound Closures in surgery. Theseinclude plastic and reconstruction, cardiothoracic, vascular, OB-GYN,general surgery, orthopedics, dermatology and emergency medicine.Response has been positive to the time savings, ease of use andcosmetic benefits.

ClozeX Medical LLC of Wellesley, Mass., is a privately-heldcompany developing innovative wound closure products for over eightyears. Michael Lebner, the company's founder and president said, "Webelieve ClozeX is the next generation of primary skin closures. Ourcompany's efforts have been rewarded with a transaction that mergesour unique and superior technology with 3M Health Care's marketleadership to improve wound closure for millions worldwide."

3M Health Care, one of 3M's six major business segments, providesworld-class innovative products and services to help health careprofessionals improve the practice and delivery of patient care. 3Mwill continue to grow its vibrant Health Care businesses globallyserving multiple market segments. Key brands from the 3M MedicalDivision include: Steri-Strip, Precise, Tegaderm, Red Dot, Littmann,Micropore, Attest and Ioban.

About 3M - A Global, Diversified Technology Company

Every day, 3M people find new ways to make amazing things happen.Wherever they are, whatever they do, the company's customers know theycan rely on 3M to help make their lives better. 3M's brands includeScotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite, Filtrete,Command and Vikuiti. Serving customers in more than 200 countriesaround the world, the company's 69,000 people use their expertise,technologies and global strength to lead in major markets includingconsumer and office; display and graphics; electronics andtelecommunications; safety, security and protection services; healthcare; industrial and transportation.

Steri-Strip, Precise, Tegaderm, Red Dot, Littmann, Micropore,Attest, Ioban, Scotch, Post-it, Scotchgard, Thinsulate, Scotch-Brite,Filtrete, Command, Vikuiti and now ClozeX are trademarks of 3M.