IRVINE, Calif. -- Neomend, Inc., one of the leading innovator in sealant and adhesion-prevention products for the surgical marketplace, announced it has received the European Union CE Mark for the companys Progel Adhesion Barrier (AB) product.

Progel AB is a hydrogel adhesion barrier sealant that can be sprayed onto general visceral organs during surgery to help prevent post-operative adhesions. Progel AB sealant can be used in open as well as laparascopic abdominal or pelvic surgical procedures. According to a MedMarket Diligence LLC report prepared for the company, more than one million of these types of surgeries are performed in Europe each year. According to a MedMarket Diligence LLC report prepared for the company, the world market for surgical sealants, glues and wound closure products is valued at over $7 billion.

"This additional CE Mark positions Neomend to substantially grow its revenue in the European Union as we seek to expand our distribution channel there," said David Renzi, the companys President and CEO. "Post-operative adhesions are the number one complication of any surgery. They not only can cause pain and discomfort to the patient but can necessitate additional surgeries. This important milestone will enable us to help surgeons in Europe more effectively help prevent complications caused by adhesions."

"Progel AB sealant adheres well to varying organs and tissues, and it has a great amount of elasticity that allows it to maintain this high level of adherence after application," Renzi added.

Progel AB sealant is the latest in a line of hydrogel sealants to be commercialized by Neomend that will include cardiovascular, dural and colorectal applications. The first commercial product from this platform technology in the United States was Progel Pleural Air Sealant, which has been used in the treatment of more than 27,000 patients since the product received FDA approval in January 2010. Progel Pleural Air Leak Sealant is also the only commercially available and FDA approved pleural air leak sealant in the United States. As the only sealant designed specifically for sealing lung air leaks Progel Pleural Air Leak Sealant has compelling clinical results that show a significant reduction in post-operative air leaks and a reduction in inpatient length of stay.

A second product, Progel Platinum Surgical Sealant, is a recombinant version of the pleural air sealant which received the CE mark in January 2011 and was launched in the European Union in June of last year. Progel Platinum Surgical Sealant is a hydrogel polymer consisting of two components: a biocompatible synthetic protein of recombinant albumin (Albucult) and a cross-linking component of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Albucult rAlbumin USP-NF is a product of Novozymes Biopharma UK Ltd. and Novozymes Biopharma DK A/S.

The Progel technology platform is a resorbable hydrogel with a unique molecular structure that undergoes a proprietary process to form strong, flexible bonds that promote adherence to tissue surfaces. These special bonds can be chemically engineered to remain intact and provide strength during the critical phases of healing until the molecules are resorbed by the patients body.