Media release
31 January 2008

Healthy living the Mediterranean way

New Zealanders will be able to enjoy the benefits of one of Australia’s fastest growing health supplements following today’s launch of Comvita’s latest product – Comvita High-Strength Olive Leaf Complex.

Comvita’s Olive Leaf Complex is an all-natural daily health tonic which blends the benefits of the world’s oldest cultivated tree with modern extraction processes that use only fresh, natural olive leaves.

The launch extends Comvita’s natural health care portfolio, complementing the Manuka honey and other bee-derived products Comvita is renowned for.

At the launch on Waiheke Island Julian Archer, co-founder of Olive Products Australia, Comvita’s recent acquisition, said that while many New Zealanders are aware of the traditional health benefits associated with the Mediterranean diet, it is fresh olive leaf complex that packs the strongest punch.

“Research shows Comvita’s fresh Olive Leaf Complex contains more than 30 times the health-giving antioxidants than extra virgin olive oils and it is 400 per cent more powerful than vitamin C.”

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells against the damage caused by free radicals – molecules that are produced when the body is exposed to poor diet, pollution, tobacco smoke or excessive sunlight. Protection from free radical damage is important for healthy heart and circulation, maintaining healthy blood pressure and respiratory health, plus premature ageing and skin health.

For many years scientists have studied the antioxidant properties found in olive leaves to discover why the Mediterranean diet appears to support heart health and the body’s natural defences. Recent scientific studies prove antioxidant compounds are more potent when derived from fresh olive leaves than reconstituted products.

“Over the past two years an Australia-wide public trial of fresh olive leaf extract with more than 2000 health professionals showed nearly 90 per cent of those surveyed experienced health benefits including improved energy, support for the immune responses to winter ills and chills and clear airways in the head and sinuses,” says Julian.

“Other findings showed support for joint mobility, improved skin health and enhanced general wellbeing.”

In addition, a recent 90 patient U.S. clinical study also showed positive support for joint mobility.1

Dave Bathgate, general manager Healthcare at Comvita, says that since its launch in Australian stores four years ago, OPA’s Olive Leaf Extract has become one of that country’s fastest growing health supplements.

“Australian retail sales of Olive Leaf Extract passed AU$15m in 2007 and users are reporting a range of health benefits that we’re hoping New Zealanders will experience as well.”

Comvita’s Olive Leaf Complex is grown on a plantation of more than half a million scientifically-selected olive trees near Brisbane and is the world’s largest Olea europaea grove dedicated solely to the health-giving leaves. Comvita purchased Olive Products Australia for AU$26m in late 2007.

Comvita’s High Strength Olive Leaf Complex is the only fresh olive extract in New Zealand and will be available at selected pharmacies and health food stores from February 2008 and comes in two flavours – natural or peppermint. RRP 100ml $14.90 and 500ml $39.90. The product will be available in Australia, UK and Hong Kong following the New Zealand launch. Always read the label and use as directed.

References
1. Bitler CM et al. "Olive extract supplement decreases pain and improves daily activities in adults with osteoarnthritis and decreases plasma homocysteine in those with rheumatoid arthritis.” Nutrition Research August 2007.

View the new Olive Leaf Range.

- Ends -

Comvita Creates Skincare Buzz
Paengaroa-based company Comvita has used its Manuka honey expertise to develop a natural skincare range.

Huni aims to increase sales from existing Comvita customers and attract new customers to the brand.

The UMF® 20+ Manuka honey used in the Huni skincare range was supplied by Comvita beekeepers in New Zealand’s North Island.

UMF® (Unique Manuka Factor) is a scientific measure of the antibacterial levels found in active Manuka honey. This type of honey was chosen because it is the purest, most sustainable type of active honey available and is known for its moisturising properties.

“We wanted to offer women a natural skincare range that utilises the strong natural benefits of UMF® Manuka honey to minimise the first visible signs of aging,” said Comvita general manager skincare Leigh Kite.

Huni is not just good for your skin, but good for the environment too. The natural ingredients we use are from sustainable sources and free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate detergents and genetically-modified plant materials.

View the new Huni Range.

ENDS

News Release
16 October 2007

Comvita confirmed today that its partner in the US, Derma Sciences, has successfully launched its new range of Honey based wound dressings. Derma Sciences launched the Medihoney® brand, under a global brand co-operation agreement with license owner Comvita.

The dressings were launched at the Clinical Symposium on Advances in Skin and Wound Care (CSASWC) based in Nashville, Tennessee. According to Derma Sciences Vice President of Marketing Barry Wolfenson the dressings were received very positively at the symposium, with strong interest from Woundcare specialists. Mr Wolfenson also added “Derma Sciences was very satisfied with the response from distributors placing orders in the lead-up to the show, and attendee response was very positive. We are excited about the future market opportunities this launch creates for our company.”

After advising the NZX on the 23rd of July this year that FDA clearance had been obtained for the honey-based wound dressings, Comvita CEO Brett Hewlett was impressed with the speed at which US partner Derma Sciences has been able to bring the product to market, less than 2 months after receiving market approval. Comvita has a 14 per cent stake (10 per cent fully diluted) in publicly owned Derma Sciences (code DSCI), a marketer of advanced wound care products. “This is a significant moment in Comvita’s development says Hewlett, and is the end result of years of hard work. It also paves the way for a global platform of new products based on medical honey to be launched under the Medihoney® brand .”

Much data has been published on the use of medical grade Leptospermum honey (Manuka Honey) as a topical antimicrobial, including its activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Results from a large-scale randomized controlled study conducted at Sligo Hospital in Ireland, were presented at the symposium by Georgina Gethin. The study demonstrated improved healing and infection control rates - including reductions in MRSA - along with effective debridement of necrotic tissue. This study will be published in late 2007.

In another clinical study Robert G. Frykberg DPM, MP Chief of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix, presented a case series of Medihoney dressing in several patients with diabetic ulcers. Results were positive wound healing outcomes, and bioburden control even against such drug resistant pathogens as MRSA. In addition to authoring numerous scientific manuscripts, Dr. Frykberg has edited two of the most widely circulated textbooks on the subject of Diabetic Foot Care. The importance of podiatry to the woundcare market is significant with leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers making up a significant percentage of the total market for advanced wound care. There are at least 16 million people with diabetes in the United States. Fifteen percent of all patients with diabetes may be expected to develop foot ulcers during their lifetimes. Persons with diabetes have an increased risk of developing infections which are reported to have a treatment cost of US 17,000 to 18,000 dollars per ulcer and are a major cause of lower-limb amputation.

Major news outlets in the US have told the story of Medihoney products being used in Iraq by US military personnel. KFYR TV News series refers to it as a “Sweet Medical Breakthrough” while the LA Times called it a “Cheap fix in a War zone.” US Military personnel have been using Medihoney® to treat a range of burns incurred amongst Iraqi children in a children’s burn clinic. The treatment has been an outstanding success according to clinicians, and this has been widely reported in the United States.

This follows a further exciting publication in the US market about Medihoney. The current issue of the US Journal “Wounds” has published a feature article on a study using Medihoney last month. Wounds journal reported that “research results thus far are extremely encouraging, and demonstrate that honey is effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including multi drug resistant strains. This in-vitro study complements the work of others and focuses on the impact that a standardized honey can have on multi drug resistant bacteria that are regularly found in wounds and are responsible for increased morbidity.”
ENDS