PuriCore plc, a global company focused on safe and effective protection against the spread of infectious pathogens, has signed a marketing and distribution agreement with Ueno Corporation for Vashe Wound Therapy in select Middle East and North African counties. Ueno is a trading company headquartered in Japan with well-established health care product distribution, including multiple complementary wound care and diabetic foot products, in 15 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE.

The agreement is targeted to generate approximately $9.0 million in Vashe revenue for PuriCore over the next three years. Initial shipments are scheduled to commence this quarter. Under terms of the agreement, all intellectual property related to Vashe Wound Therapy remains under the ownership of PuriCore.

Michael Ashton, executive chairman of PuriCore, said: "Leading hospitals, wound care centres, and home healthcare providers use Vashe Wound Therapy as a safe and effective treatment for chronic and acute wounds, including diabetic ulcers and burns. Ueno offers long-standing market presence in the MENA region and we are delighted to have such a strong marketing partner.  Promising international marketing agreements, such as this one, offer significant opportunity for long-term growth for our Wound Care product line in new geographies."

According to Global Industry Analysts, the global wound care market is expected to reach $22.8 billion by 2017 resulting from ageing populations and an increase in people affected by diabetes, obesity, and hospital-acquired infections.

Vashe Wound Therapy is a safe and effective non-antibiotic alternative wound treatment for acute and chronic wounds that is demonstrated to be extremely gentle and hypoallergenic. Vashe has been rigorously safety tested and is non-cytotoxic, non-irritating, non-sensitizing, and has no oral toxicity or clinical contraindications for use. Vashe Wound Therapy is intended for use in cleansing, irrigating, moistening, and debriding acute and chronic dermal lesions, such as Stage I-IV pressure ulcers, stasis ulcers, diabetic ulcers, post-surgical wounds, first- and second-degree burns, abrasions, and minor irritations of the skin. Vashe Wound Therapy is available by prescription only.