Mass High Tech - November 7, 2008

Nucryst anti-microbial bandage cleared for Canadian marketing
Mass High Tech

Wakefield-based Nucryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the Advanced Wound Management division of Smith & Nephew plc have received clearance by Health Canada to market Acticoat Flex, an anti-microbial bandage.

Nucryst develops the Silcryst nanocrystalline silver coating for the “barrier dressing,” which keeps wounds from becoming infected. The bandage is described by Nucryst officials as flexible enough to be able to contour to bendable joint surfaces. Smith & Nephew, a worldwide orthopedic technology company, is commercializing the Acticoat Flex product through a partnership with Nucryst.

Last month, Nucryst (Nasdaq: NCST) received its second noncompliance warning from the Nasdaq Stock Market. The warning noted Nucryst’s lack of compliance with the Nasdaq rule that states a stock price cannot trade below for $1 for 30 consecutive days. With this second warning, Nucryst has until March 31, 2009 to regain compliance, which means its stock must have a closing bid price at or above $1 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days. If it doesn’t, the company may get a delisting determination by the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel. Should that happen, Nucryst could appeal the determination, and the company’s stock would remain listed pending the panel’s decision.

In September 2007, Nucryst ranked 44th on Deloitte & Touche’s annual New England Technology Fast 50, which lists top New England companies based on percentage revenue growth over five years from 2002 to 2006.