Smith+Nephew announce latest scientific data supporting new ALLEVYN™ COMPLETE CARE 5-Layer Foam Dressing for pressure injury prevention

Rhea-AI Summary

Smith+Nephew (NYSE:SNN) announced peer‑reviewed data (Int Wound J, 2025) showing the new ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE 5‑Layer Foam Dressing absorbs 93% of mechanical energy, dissipating shear and friction internally. Results used Frictional Energy Absorber Effectiveness (FEAE) and Finite Element Modelling (FEM) to confirm the dressing's mechanistic protection of soft tissue. FEAE improved from 30–45% (ALLEVYN LIFE) to 93%. The PR cites US annual pressure injury costs of $26.8bn. The product will launch in the US later in 2025, with roll‑out across other markets through 2026.

Positive

• Mechanical energy absorption of 93% (Int Wound J, 2025)
• FEAE improvement from 30–45% to 93% versus ALLEVYN LIFE
• Peer‑reviewed publication in International Wound Journal, 2025
• US market launch planned later in 2025; global roll‑out through 2026
• Cites pressure injury US cost of $26.8bn annually

Negative

• None.

Insights

Wound care biomechanical specialist

New data show ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Dressing absorbs 93% of mechanical energy, implying stronger protection against pressure injuries.

The published study demonstrates a clear mechanism: the dressing absorbs and dissipates shear and frictional energy internally, measured with Frictional Energy Absorber Effectiveness (FEAE) and Finite Element Modelling (FEM). The report states the dressing converts 93% of mechanical energy into internal layers, up from 30–45% in the prior ALLEVYN LIFE product.

Why it matters: reducing shear and frictional energy at the skin–device interface directly targets mechanical causes of pressure injuries, a clinical burden the release quantifies as costing over $26.8bn annually in the US. The data provide a measurable, device-level mechanism that clinicians can evaluate against other prevention strategies.

The release notes a commercial rollout: US launch later in 2025 with wider market entries through 2026, which is the concrete milestone to monitor.

Smith+Nephew (NYSE:SNN; LSE:SN), the global medical technology business, is pleased to announce exciting new data from Professor Amit Gefen and his research group published in the International Wound Journal,¹ demonstrating the pressure injury prevention mechanism of action of ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Foam Dressing and its ability to absorb and dissipate friction and shear forces.

Pressure injuries are localized damage to the skin or underlying tissue, resulting from prolonged exposure to pressure in combination with shear forces.² This landmark study demonstrates that the new ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Foam Dressing absorbs 93% of mechanical energy into its internal layers. The study shows that the dressing absorbs and dissipates shear forces internally and layer-to-layer frictional sliding within the dressing. This mechanism of action can significantly help reduce the harmful stress concentrations that are known to cause pressure injuries, a clinical burden which costs the US healthcare system over $26.8bn every year.³

By using both Frictional Energy Absorber Effectiveness (FEAE) and Finite Element Modelling (FEM), the results confirmed the mechanism of action of ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Dressing  in mitigating mechanical loading and protecting underlying soft tissue.

“These findings represent a significant step forward in pressure injury prevention,” said Amit Gefen, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Tel Aviv University. “ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Dressing's advanced biomechanical performance dissipates potentially harmful shear forces, which can help protect patients from factors that contribute to pressure injuries.”  

''Pressure injuries are a complex and costly challenge, placing a heavy burden on both patients and healthcare systems," said Rohit Kashyap, President, Advanced Wound Management at Smith+Nephew. “This publication showcases the distinct mechanism of action of ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Foam Dressing and its ability to dissipate shear forces, helping to protect more patients from the harm of pressure injuries.”

ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Dressing will be launched into the US advanced wound care market later in the year, followed by subsequent markets throughout 2026, and is indicated for the management of a range of wounds and pressure injury prevention. Building on the successful mechanism of action principles originally established by ALLEVYN LIFE Dressing,⁴ the new ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE Foam Dressing demonstrated an increased Frictional Energy Absorber Effectiveness, up from 30-45% to 93%.

To read the full publication, please click here.

References

1. Orlova D, Orlov A, Gefen A. The Protective Efficacy of a New Soft Silicone Multi-Layer Dressing in Reducing the Heel Pressure Ulcer Risk. Int Wound J. 2025;22(10):e70764.
2. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury Alliance. Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Definition and Etiology. In: Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. The International Guideline: Fourth Edition. Emily Haesler (Ed.). 2025. [cited: 3^rd October 2025]. Available from: https://internationalguideline.com.

3. Padula W V., & Delarmente, B. A. (2019). The national cost of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in the United States. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 27(3), 329–335 WV, Delarmente BA. The national cost of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in the United States. Int Wound J. 2019;16(3):634-640..

4. Marché C, Creehan S, Gefen A. The frictional energy absorber effectiveness and its impact on the pressure ulcer prevention performance of multilayer dressings. Int Wound J. 2024;21(4):e14871.

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Frida Wilhelmsson	+46 738499429
Smith+Nephew

About Smith+Nephew
Smith+Nephew is a portfolio medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. We exist to restore people’s bodies and their self-belief by using technology to take the limits off living. We call this purpose ‘Life Unlimited’. Our 17,000 employees deliver this mission every day, making a difference to patients’ lives through the excellence of our product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across our three global business units of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management.
Founded in Hull, UK, in 1856, we now operate in around 100 countries and generated annual sales of $5.8 billion in 2024. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100 (LSE:SN, NYSE:SNN). The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.
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FAQ

What did Smith+Nephew (SNN) announce about ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE on October 3, 2025?

They published Int Wound J data showing the dressing absorbs 93% of mechanical energy and dissipates shear forces.

How does ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE's FEAE compare to ALLEVYN LIFE in the SNN press release?

FEAE increased from 30–45% (ALLEVYN LIFE) to 93% for ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE.

When will Smith+Nephew (SNN) launch ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE in the US?

The PR states the product will be launched in the US later in 2025.

What evidence methods supported the ALLEVYN COMPLETE CARE findings in the SNN release?

The study used Frictional Energy Absorber Effectiveness (FEAE) testing and Finite Element Modelling (FEM).

Does the SNN press release quantify the economic burden of pressure injuries?

Yes — it cites a US annual cost of over $26.8bn to the healthcare system.