Smith & Nephew wins Galien Award for PICO negative pressure wound therapy system

Global medical technology business, Smith & Nephew has been awarded the 2016 French Galien Award for its single-use negative pressure wound therapy system, PICO.

The Prix Galien recognises significant advances in pharmaceuticals and medical devices which deliver real improvements to human life.

Managing director of Smith & Nephew SAS , Bertrand L'Huillier, said: "Receiving the Galien Award is a huge honour and recognition of our contribution to medical research and ability to innovate.  It is also a great encouragement to continue our investment to support healthcare professionals in their daily efforts to improve the lives of patients worldwide."

From a study of 326 community based patients, PICO was shown to significantly reduce the total care needed to help people with chronic wounds. Patients whom received PICO treatment for pressure ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, trauma wounds and dehisced surgical wounds, showed that prior to using PICO wound dressings were being changed four times a week^. This fell to two dressing changes a week when using PICO, and to 1.8 times a week, on average, in the four-week follow-up period. Fewer dressing changes resulted in considerable cost savings; the total cost of care using PICO was three times less than the baseline.