NovaBay's NeutroPhase(R) is Best in Class in Laboratory Study of 19 Top Commercial Wound Cleansers

The In Vitro Study, Published in the Peer-Reviewed Journal Advances in Skin & Wound Care, Showed that NeutroPhase Kills Bacteria Quickly

Among the Products Tested, NeutroPhase Offered the Best Activity Against Microbes at Concentrations Safe to Mammalian Cells

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovaBay^® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBY), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing topical non-antibiotic anti-microbial products, today announced that a new study in the journal Advances in Skin & Wound Care showed that the company's wound cleanser, NeutroPhase^®*, achieved better results in lab tests than 18 other commercial products. Unlike any of the other products, NeutroPhase was able to kill bacteria in less than a minute.

The results of the study suggest that NeutroPhase, in contrast with the other commercially available wound cleansers involved in the study, has the fastest bactericidal activity at concentrations that are safe for human cells.

In the study, researchers took 19 commercial wound cleansers (including Puracyn, 3M Wound Cleanser, Prontosan, Allclenz, DermalWound Cleanser, Johnson&Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Elta Perineal Wash, hydrogen peroxide, Betadine Surgical Scrub, Hibiclens and Restore SkinCleanser) and diluted each one until it was no longer harmful to mammalian cells (in this case, mouse skin cells). Then, the researchers tested each cleanser's anti-microbial activity.

At these dilution levels, only NeutroPhase was able to kill bacteria in less than one minute.

NeutroPhase is pure hypochlorous acid (0.01% concentration) in saline that has received FDA 510(k) clearance as a skin and wound cleanser. Hypochlorous acid is a natural substance produced by white blood cells as a first defense against microbial invaders. NeutroPhase contains a higher concentration of pure hypochlorous acid than other wound cleansers which contain harmful impurities such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), such as Dakin's solution.

"This study demonstrates that NeutroPhase is truly effective at cleansing wounds - and why we believe it is such an innovation in the wound care arena," said Dr. Ron Najafi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals.

A previous study published in a recent issue of the journal WOUNDS, described how the use of NeutroPhase, as part of the clinician's treatment plan, helped save the life and limb of a woman suffering from 'flesh-eating disease' (which is often referred to as 'necrotizing fasciitis').

The new study was conducted by researchers at NovaBay and published in the peer-reviewed journal, Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Going Beyond Antibiotics^®

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing topical non-antibiotic anti-microbial products.

*About NeutroPhase^®

NeutroPhase^® is a 510(k)-cleared wound cleanser and is intended for use under the supervision of healthcare professionals for cleansing and removal of foreign material, including: microorganisms and debris from wounds; cleaning minor cuts, minor burns, superficial abrasions, and minor irritations of the skin; as well as moistening absorbent wound dressings. It is also intended for moistening and debriding acute and chronic dermal lesions, such as: Stage I-IV pressure ulcers, stasis ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, post surgical wounds, first and second degree burns, as well as grafted and donor sites.

NeutroPhase is a 0.01% pure hypochlorous acid in saline (with no bleach impurities, which is often present in Dakin and Dakin-like solution). In in vitro laboratory models, NeutroPhase has shown to be fast-acting against bacteria, biofilm and toxins. Statements regarding necrotizing fasciitis and flesh-eating bacteria have not been reviewed by the FDA. More information on NeutroPhase and how to purchase it at: www.neutrophase.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements and opinions, which are based upon management's current expectations, assumptions, estimates, projections and beliefs. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the effectiveness of NovaBay's products against bacteria and 'flesh-eating disease'. The words "suggest", "believe", and "will" are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different and adverse from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to difficulties or delays in development, clinical trial, regulatory approval, production and marketing of the company's product candidates, unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of the product candidates, the uncertainty of patent protection for the company's intellectual property or trade secrets, the company's ability to obtain additional financing as necessary and unanticipated research and development and other costs. Other risks relating to NovaBay and Aganocide compounds, including risks that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this press release, are detailed in NovaBay's latest Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially under the heading "Risk Factors." The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date, and NovaBay disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

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