Oculus Innovative Sciences Strengthens Intellectual Property Portfolio With Issuance of Three New International Patents for Microcyn(R) Technology

PETALUMA, Calif., April 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oculus Innovative Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:OCLS) a global healthcare company that designs, manufactures and markets prescription and non-prescription products in over 20 countries, today announced the issuance of three new international patents for the company's flagship technology, Microcyn®. These include a Chinese patent for treatment of second- and third-degree burns, and two Mexican patents, the first for treatment of skin ulcers and the second for treatment of second- and third-degree burns as well.

Bruce Thornton, executive vice president of Oculus said: "Our intellectual property portfolio is growing and is perfectly timed with our international growth. Our Microcyn-based products are now commercialized in more than twenty countries around the globe with a target of thirty-plus by year's end. The empirical evidence documenting Microcyn's efficacy in the treatment of both burns and ulcers is highly compelling. These new patents will further fortify our marketing efforts for those indications in these regions."

The latest-issued patents join an intellectual property estate (either owned or licensed to Oculus) that now includes 35 issued patents (five in the United States, 12 registered in the E.U., and 18 other foreign patents) as well 109 pending applications (including U.S. provisional applications) directed to chemical compositions, apparatuses, methods of manufacturing and therapeutic uses.

About Oculus Innovative Sciences

Oculus Innovative Science is a global healthcare company that designs, manufactures and markets prescription and non-prescription products in over 20 countries. The company's products are used to treat patients in surgical/advanced wound management, dermatology, women's health and animal health; addressing the unmet medical needs of these markets—while raising the standard of patient care and lowering overall healthcare costs. 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 "growing," "fortify" and "timed," 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
         VP of Public and Investor Relations
         (425) 753-2105

Released April 4, 2013