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ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vestagen Protective Technologies, Inc. today announced that medical professionals at Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY will soon be wearing scrubs and lab coats protected by its VESTEX® Active Barrier fabric. LIJ Medical Center is a 587-bed, not-for-profit teaching hospital serving the greater metropolitan New York area. Based in Queens, it is one of the flagship hospitals of Northwell Health, one of the nation's largest healthcare systems. In 2016, two other prestigious Northwell institutions adopted VESTEX garments for their healthcare workers and patients.

Separately Vestagen announced that Thomas Grifa, an experienced medical device manufacturing executive, has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Operations. Vestagen also announced that CEO Bill Bold will present a corporate overview at the Medtech Showcase 2017 (A Biotech Showcase™) on Jan.10 at 1:15 pm PST. The Showcase is being held at the Parc 55 Hotel in San Francisco.

VESTEX Active Barrier fabric is a unique combination of technologies that address the need for continuous-wear, comfortable healthcare worker and patient garments intended to minimize the risks associated with unanticipated exposure to body fluids during routine use, by repelling fluid splatter and spills from the fabric.¹ VESTEX fabric is breathable and it contains an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent shown in controlled conditions in laboratory and hospital settings to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria on the fabric.^2,3,4 A peer reviewed hospital-based study published in a leading medical journal showed reduced acquisition and retention of certain microorganisms on VESTEX scrubs compared to conventional healthcare uniforms.

"We are delighted that Long Island Jewish Medical Center, a key unit of Northwell Health, is reinforcing their commitment to workers and patients by replacing traditional uniforms with VESTEX Active Barrier garments," said Bill Bold, Chief Executive Officer of Vestagen. "This follows the successful adoption of VESTEX scrubs, with very positive feedback, by other leading Northwell hospitals during 2016. We look forward to working with all our stakeholders at Northwell to ensure the seamless integration of VESTEX garments into their routine operations."

"By investing in VESTEX active barrier uniforms, LIJ is supporting our frontline staff in delivering high-quality, safe patient care while reducing the risk of transmission of organisms," said Margaret Murphy, RN, chief nursing officer at LIJ.

Mr. Bold added, "I also want to welcome Thomas Grifa to Vestagen. Tom brings a strong track record of success in managing manufacturing and other complex operations at major medical device firms such as Covidien and Baxter Healthcare. His expertise will be invaluable in ensuring our continued successful expansion and growth."

During his more than 25-year career, Mr. Grifa has held positions of increasing responsibility at a number of companies, including Director of Engineering at Baxter Healthcare and Senior Vice President of Manufacturing for Covidien's International Division, where he managed 20 global manufacturing facilities. More recently, Mr. Grifa has worked as a company consultant focused on new process development, process improvements and new product introductions. Mr. Grifa is trained in both Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma disciplines. He earned a degree in chemical engineering from Rutgers University and received an MBA from Pepperdine University.

VESTEX has earned an exclusive endorsement from the American Hospital Association following a rigorous due diligence process. VESTEX is registered with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a medical device and is currently in the FDA 510(k) clearance review process.

For more information about Vestagen and VESTEX, visit vestagen.com and buyVESTEX.com.

1 - Neither liquid repellency nor antimicrobial tests are intended to assess the VESTEX active barrier apparel's ability to meet personal protective equipment requirements. The ability of the fabric to reduce exposure to microorganisms or infections has not been studied.

2 - Bearman, G., Rosato, A., Elam, K., Sanogo, K., Stevens, M., Sessler, C., and Wenzel, R. P., "A Cross-over Trial of Antimicrobial Scrubs to Reduce MRSA Burden on Healthcare Worker Apparel," Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol., Vol. 33, No. 3, 2012, pp. 268–275.

3 - Hardwick, Matthew, Walsh, Thomas, and Cotton, Margaret, "Fabric Challenge Assays: New Standards for the Evaluation of the Performance of Textiles Treated with Antimicrobial Agents," Pesticide Formulation and Delivery Systems: Innovating Legacy Products for New Uses on November 1–3, 2011 in Tampa FL; STP 1558, M. Bernards, Editor, pp. 1–14, doi: 101520/STP155820120184, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA 2013.

4 - VESTEX garments do not protect users or others against disease-causing bacteria. Always clean the garment thoroughly after each use.

About Vestagen Protective Technologies, Inc.
Vestagen develops and markets advanced performance textile products and technologies. Vestagen has developed VESTEX®, which represents a new class of technology-based, active barrier protective fabrics combining antimicrobial, liquid repellent and breathability properties. VESTEX uniforms are designed to minimize the risks associated with unanticipated fluid exposures during routine use as general purpose attire. Studies conducted in controlled conditions in a hospital setting show that VESTEX can prevent or reduce the acquisition and retention of certain microorganisms on the fabric. VESTEX garments are comfortable, durable and affordable. For more information, visit vestagen.com.

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SOURCE Vestagen Protective Technologies, Inc.