Ark Therapeutics Group plc (Ark) announces the launch of Kerraped, the first therapeutic footwear to be made available on prescription, for patients with diabetic foot ulcers and other lower limb wounds. The licensing of this product was announced by the company on 7 June 2007 and it has now been placed on the UK NHS Drug Tariff.

Kerraped All Purpose Boot (APB) is available on prescription from today to help alleviate the suffering of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Until now, patients in the community have often not had access to suitable medical footwear as it has only been provided via secondary care, for example in diabetic foot, podiatry, and orthotic clinics. Kerraped will be sold by Ark's existing wound care sales force alongside Kerraboot and Flaminal, where it is complementary to both products and full promotion will commence on 1 September.

Kerraped APB has been specially designed to be worn by patients with diabetic foot ulcers. It is easy to fasten and provides the appropriate level of off-loading and foot support without interfering with the patient's normal walking gait. In tests, Kerraped has demonstrated a 25 per cent reduction in pressure on the foot surface while walking. A reduction in foot pressure, especially in at-risk areas of the foot, is essential to allow ulcers to heal and prevent recurrence. Kerraped is available in 4 sizes: small, medium, large and extra-large.

Whilst no market data currently exists for this new class of product, the company estimates the total potential market opportunity in the UK to be between 200,000 and 250,000 units per annum.

Ian Shurville, Head of Wound Care at Ark, commented, 'We are very pleased to add Kerraped to our expanding wound care portfolio. We believe that suitable footwear is a key component of wound management for many patients with diabetic foot ulcers and we are confident that Kerraped will make a significant difference to community-based patients previously without access to specialised footwear.'