RNS Number:3048H
SSL International PLC
11 February 2003

SSL LAUNCHES BIOGEL(R) SKINSENSE(TM) PI SYNTHETIC SURGICAL GLOVE

NEW POLYISOPRENE GLOVE GIVES IMPROVED FIT, FEEL AND COMFORT


SSL International today announced the launch of Biogel Skinsense PI, the next
generation synthetic surgical glove from Regent Medical, SSL's market-leading
surgical gloves division. The new product will be available, initially in the
US, from March 2003.

Healthcare workers now wear surgical gloves for prolonged periods. The risk, for
some users, of allergic reaction to natural rubber latex surgical gloves has
been known for a number of years. The challenge for surgical glove manufacturers
has been to remove the risk of latex allergy by using synthetic materials, while
at the same time matching the strength and sensitivity of latex gloves. SSL's
existing Biogel Skinsense synthetic range, launched in 2001, achieved much of
this.

The new Biogel Skinsense PI glove goes further and is a significant breakthrough
in surgical glove technology. It is made from polyisoprene, which has fit, feel
and comfort characteristics comparable to latex gloves but without concerns
about allergies to natural rubber latex proteins. It has been designed to help
eliminate the disadvantages of stiffness, lower elasticity and tendency to
deform found in some other synthetic gloves. The new glove and the production
process have been under test for six months.

Commenting on the new glove, Brian Buchan, SSL's Chief Executive said:

"We are at the forefront of developments in powder-free and synthetic surgical
glove technology. We know from healthcare professionals that there is demand for
a synthetic glove with improved sensitivity and comfort. Our new glove gives
them just that.

"Over 90% of surgical gloves sold in the US are made of natural rubber latex.
However, because of concerns about latex allergies, the synthetic sector is
expected to grow, particularly as products such as Biogel Skinsense PI eliminate
the performance gap with natural rubber latex."

Market research in the US ahead of the launch revealed that 70% of the users
questioned preferred Biogel Skinsense PI to their current glove. The
characteristics they liked most were fit, feel and comfort.


For more information contact:
The Maitland Consultancy                              020 7379 5151
Brian Hudspith
Simone Cheetham



NOTES TO EDITORS

SSL International plc's four global brands are Durex condoms, Scholl footcare
and footwear, Regent Biogel medical products and Hibi antiseptics.

Regent Medical is the medical gloves division of SSL International plc.
Innovations such as Biogel, the world's first powder-free glove with a unique
polymer coat for ease of donning; Biogel Indicator and Biogel Reveal, the
world's first double-glove puncture indication system; and Biogel Skinsense N,
the world's first powder-free, coated, synthetic glove, have made Regent Medical
a global leader in surgical gloves.

Synthetic gloves overcome the phenomenon of natural rubber latex allergy. In
some studies in the US, it has been estimated that 12% of healthcare workers and
6% of the general public show some sensitivity to latex. This is leading the
healthcare industry to minimise the amount that healthcare professionals and
patients are exposed to latex

In the US surgical gloves market, synthetic gloves account for 5% of the total
market by volume with a 30% annual growth rate.


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