Oculus Innovative Sciences Announces Positive Results from Abstract Evaluating the Use of Microcyn® Technology in Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Business Wire, July 1, 2008

* Peer-reviewed poster presented at the Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies held in Toronto, Ontario

* Oculus Announces Annual Meeting of Stockholders

PETALUMA, Calif. -- Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCLS) announced that an abstract relating to the efficacy of Microcyn[R] Technology for the treatment of atopic dermatitis was peer reviewed and presented at the Third Congress of the World Union of Wound Healing Societies held in Toronto, Ontario on June 4-8. The conference, which occurs once every four years and is considered one of the premier wound healing events in the world, is a showcase for the latest advances in wound care.

The study, "Anti-inflammatory effects of an oxychlorine compound in a murine model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis" was conducted by researchers at the Pharmacobiology Department of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) in Mexico City, Mexico; the University of California at San Francisco and researchers employed by Oculus Innovative Sciences in Petaluma, California. The objective of the study was to test the effect of the Microcyn Technology on a murine (mouse) model of atopic dermatitis, by evaluating the reduction of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction after a single, as well as repetitive, topical applications of the technology.

Atopic dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized by childhood onset, severe pruritus and chronically relapsing course. Pathogenesis is unknown, but the disease seems to be the result of genetic susceptibility, epidermal barrier dysfunction and immune hypersensitivity related to mast cell degranulation in response to diverse allergens, also known as antigens. In relation to the latter, it had been previously shown that Microcyn Technology is able to diminish mast cell-dependent secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and cytokines, in vitro (Medina, et al., Int Immunopharmacol, 2007). It was therefore necessary to prove if the technology would be able to stop mast cell mediated-allergic and inflammatory reactions in vivo. For this purpose, the murine PCA model was selected.

In the study, ears from one group of mice were intradermally sensitized with monoclonal anti DNP IgE (i.e. study group), while the ears from a second group of mice were not sensitized (control group treated with a saline solution). After 18 hours of sensitization, a single topical application of saline solution or Microcyn was performed in the control and study ears of the same animal. Thirty minutes after the saline or Microcyn application, allergen (antigen) dissolved in Evans blue was intravenously injected and PCA reaction was monitored by Evans blue extravasation to the ear tissue. This same approach was also used in a repeated application of either saline or Microcyn every six hours for three days. The higher the concentration of blue dye extravasated in the ears, the stronger the anaphylaxis that was induced. Results indicated that even a single application of the Microcyn oxychlorine solution was able to significantly diminish the passive anaphylactic reaction in mice, in comparison to no response in the control ears treated with saline only.

The conclusion of the researchers as stated in the poster was: "This oxychlorine-containing solution (Microcyn Technology) could potentially be used to ameliorate the inflammatory process induced by IgE-antigen-induced mast cell degranulation or chemical irritation of the skin in atopic eczema. Considering the also documented antimicrobial activity of the solution (Microcyn), oxidative agents like this could become a new type of drug for the comprehensive treatment of diverse inflammatory conditions of skin and soft tissues, including wound care."

Andres A. Gutierrez M.D., Ph.D., director of medical affairs of Oculus Innovative Sciences and one of the researchers in the study, said, "In addition to successful treatment of wounds in over 25 clinical studies worldwide, we are now also exploring potential new applications for the Microcyn Technology in the treatment of various allergic and inflammatory conditions including upper respiratory infections, dental, ophthalmology and dermatology. We believe that Microcyn has demonstrated a highly unique combination of safe antimicrobial activity in concert with various wound-healing capabilities, including reduction of inflammation and increased blood flow to a wound site. We also believe that existing antibiotics and antiseptics are typically prone to side effects and do not provide the same level of wound healing benefits."

About Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema, is an atopic, hereditary, and non-contagious skin disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the skin. The skin of a patient with atopic dermatitis reacts abnormally and easily to irritants, food, and environmental allergens and becomes red, flaky and very itchy. It also becomes vulnerable to surface infections caused by bacteria. The skin on the flexural surfaces of the joints (for example inner sides of elbows and knees) are the most commonly affected regions in people. Although there is no cure for atopic eczema and its causes not well understood, it can be treated very effectively in the short term through a combination of prevention (learning what triggers the allergic reactions) and drug therapy. Pharmacological treatment is complex requiring moisturizers, occlusion, soaks, skin protection agents, antihistamines, antidepressants, antibiotics, corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, immunesuppressors and even antineoplastics.