Oculus Innovative Sciences Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio With Issuance of U.S. Patent for Prevention and Treatment of Peritonitis With Microcyn(R) Technology

PETALUMA, Calif., Sept. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCLS), a commercial healthcare company that designs, produces and markets innovative, safe and effective healthcare products, today announced the issuance of new U.S. patent for the use of Microcyn® Technology in the prevention and treatment of peritonitis. In this application, Microcyn® can be delivered to the peritoneal cavity intra-operatively, laproscopically or transabdominally; and can be administered to peritoneal tissue already affected by peritonitis or tissue at risk of developing this infection.   

Hoji Alimi, founder and president of Oculus said: "The issuance of this U.S. patent for prevention and treatment of peritonitis strategically dovetails with our longer-term plan of securing drug approval from the FDA for the surgical use of Microcyn Technology. This is a significant market in which current standards simply don't provide patients with optimum protection. We believe Microcyn Technology will help reduce the incidence of infection, such as that associated with peritonitis and other abdominal procedures, and as such, will reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes."

The latest-issued patent joins an intellectual property estate (either owned or licensed to Oculus) that now includes 17 issued patents (6 in the U.S. and 2 in the E.U.) as well as 16 U.S. and 101 foreign pending applications directed to chemical compositions, apparatuses, methods of manufacturing and therapeutic uses. 

About Peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the internal lining of the abdominal cavity. The most common causes of peritonitis are bacterial infection and chemical irritation. Bacterial peritonitis is usually secondary to bacterial penetration through an abdominal organ as occurs with disorders such as appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, peptic ulcers, diverticulitis, bowel obstruction, pancreatitis, mesenteric thrombosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, tumor or penetrating trauma, or combinations thereof.

The methods currently used for treating or preventing peritonitis are limited. In some cases, chemical peritonitis can respond to irrigation of the abdominal cavity. The use of multiple re-explorations and intra-operative lavage with large amounts of sterile saline solution has been recommended to decrease the risk of post-operative peritoneal infection, peritonitis and adhesions. However, there is still a significant risk of developing peritonitis and adhesions despite the use of repeated lavages with sterile saline. Various topical antimicrobials have also been tested but none has been widely accepted for source control due to either, lack of efficacy or serious side effects (i.e. sclerosing peritonitis).

About Oculus Innovative Sciences

Oculus Innovative Sciences is a commercial healthcare company that designs, produces and markets innovative, safe and effective healthcare products. Oculus is pioneering innovative solutions in multiple markets including dermatology, surgical, wound care, animal healthcare and others, and has commercialized products in the United States, Europe, India, China and Mexico and select Middle East countries. The company's headquarters are in Petaluma, California, with manufacturing operations in the United States and Latin America. More information can be found at www.oculusis.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information herein, matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about the Company's commercial and technology progress and future financial performance. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as "securing," "reduce" and "improve," among others. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to certain risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business that could cause actual results to vary, including such risks that regulatory clinical and guideline developments may change, scientific data may not be sufficient to meet regulatory standards or receipt of required regulatory clearances or approvals, clinical results may not be replicated in actual patient settings, protection offered by the Company's patents and patent applications may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented by its competitors, the available market for the Company's products will not be as large as expected, the Company's products will not be able to penetrate one or more targeted markets, revenues will not be sufficient to fund further development and clinical studies, the Company may not meet its future capital needs, and its ability to obtain additional funding, as well as uncertainties relative to varying product formulations and a multitude of diverse regulatory and marketing requirements in different countries and municipalities, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2012. Oculus Innovative Sciences disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Oculus and Microcyn Technology are trademarks or registered trademarks of Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Media and Investor Contact:
         Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc.
         Dan McFadden
         Director of Public and Investor Relations
         (425) 753-2105
         dmcfadden@oculusis.com

Released September 11, 2012