RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- CLOSURE Medical Corporation
(Nasdaq: CLSR) today announced that the General and Plastic Surgery Devices
Panel, a Food and Drug Administration advisory committee, unanimously
recommended "approval with conditions" of DERMABOND* as a wound closure
device.  DERMABOND is a topical skin cohesive based on CLOSURE's proprietary
cyanoacrylate technology.
    The Advisory Panel reviewed CLOSURE's PMA, including the 818 patient
ten-center clinical study designed to demonstrate that DERMABOND is a safe and
effective alternative to topical sutures used in the closure of many incisions
and lacerations.  The clinical trials demonstrated DERMABOND to be at least
equivalent to nonabsorbable 5.0 or smaller diameter sutures, staples or
adhesive strips/tapes in wound closure, wound healing, cosmetic outcome and
infection rate and also demonstrated that the use of DERMABOND substantially
reduced procedure time.  Procedures performed included emergency lacerations,
minimally invasive puncture sites, plastic and reconstructive surgeries, and
general surgical incisions.
    The only conditions recommended by the panel related to labeling for
DERMABOND.  The panel recommended a labeling statement to remind physicians to
adequately cleanse wounds using appropriate techniques.  The panel also
recommended that the labeling include a statement that DERMABOND is not
intended to replace sutures beneath the skin when closure is clinically
indicated.
    "We are very pleased with the Panel's recommendation, especially since
DERMABOND is the only skin cohesive for topical wound closure that has
advanced this far in the U.S. regulatory approval process," said Mr. Robert V.
Toni, President and Chief Executive Officer.  In December 1996, the FDA
advised CLOSURE that it would review its DERMABOND PMA submission under
expedited processing because of the potential of DERMABOND to benefit the
public health.  "We have enjoyed a fine working relationship with the FDA as
they demonstrated consistent and prompt follow through on this expedited
processing review."
    Prior to final approval from the FDA, the Company must demonstrate to the
FDA adequate control and complete validation of its manufacturing processes,
pass an FDA facility inspection and agree to final package labeling.
    In March 1996, the Company entered into a marketing agreement with
Ethicon, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for exclusive worldwide
marketing and distribution of DERMABOND.  Ethicon is currently marketing and
distributing DERMABOND in several countries in the European Union.
    CLOSURE Medical develops, commercializes and manufactures medical cohesive
products based on its proprietary cyanoacrylate technology.  CLOSURE's
nonabsorbable products may be used to replace sutures and staples for certain
topical wound closure applications, while its absorbable products can
potentially be used as surgical sealants and cohesives for internal wound
closure and management.  Currently marketed products include Octyldent, used
in conjunction with antibiotics to treat adult periodontal disease, Nexaband,
a line of topical cohesives used in veterinary wound closure and management,
and DERMABOND, CLOSURE's non-absorbable cohesive used for certain topical
wound closure applications.

    *  DERMABOND is a trademark of Ethicon, Inc., a subsidiary of
       Johnson & Johnson.
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FAX -- at no cost -- dial 1-800-PRO-INFO.  Use Company's ticker-CLSR.

    This release contains certain forward-looking statements which involve
known and unknown risks, delays, uncertainties or other factors not under the
Company's control which may cause actual results, performance or achievements
of the Company to be materially different from the results, performance, or
other expectations implied by these forward-looking statements.  These factors
include, but are not limited to, the early stage of commercialization of the
Companys products; scale-up of manufacturing processes; the need for
regulatory approval and effects of governmental regulation; technological
uncertainties; and dependence on patents and trade secrets, as well as those
detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1996 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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