NovaBay Signs Distribution Agreement with AmerisourceBergen Corporation for Avenova

NovaBay® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT:

), a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the commercialization and development of its non-antibiotic anti-infective products, announces that it has signed a nationwide distribution agreement with AmerisourceBergen, one of the largest global pharmaceutical sourcing and distribution services companies. Under the agreement, AmerisourceBergen will carry and distribute NovaBay's Avenova™, a prescription lid and lash hygiene product for the management of debilitating eye conditions such as blepharitis, Meibomian gland dysfunction and associated dry eye, to independent and retail chain pharmacies across the U.S. Combined with NovaBay's previous distribution agreements with McKesson Corporation

, Cardinal Health

and Vision Source, the largest independent optometry network in the U.S. representing 2,800 independent optometrist offices, the new agreement means that Avenova now will be available to the majority of the nation's 67,000 pharmacies and in thousands of ophthalmologist and optometrist offices across the country. "Our agreement with AmerisourceBergen represents yet another major achievement in our commercial strategy," said Dr. Ron Najafi, Chairman and CEO of NovaBay. "Patients who can benefit from Avenova are now assured that the product will be available through almost every pharmacy in America." "While it's early in the commercial launch, we are encouraged by the market initial acceptance of Avenova," said Glenn Moro, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We now have sales representatives in major markets across the country calling on top-prescribing optometrists and ophthalmologists. Our agreement with AmerisourceBergen will further increase the effectiveness of our sales team by making Avenova accessible to virtually every patient." NovaBay's Avenova is the only eye care product to contain Neutrox™, NovaBay's name for its proprietary pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl is a naturally occurring substance released by white blood cells to fight microbial invaders. Lab studies show that Avenova has potent antimicrobial activity in solution, yet is non-toxic to mammalian cells. Those studies also show it also neutralizes bacterial toxins. Those properties enable the cleansing properties of Avenova to treat chronic and often-painful eye conditions, blepharitis and Meibomian gland dysfunction, suffered by an estimated 30 million Americans. Patients who've had blepharitis for years—along with their doctors—report Avenova has finally brought relief. Many eye doctors are also now using Avenova routinely in preparation for cataract surgery and other types of surgery, and to alleviate the symptoms of dry eye syndrome. Because Neutrox is not an antibiotic or steroid, there are no risks of bacterial resistance or side effects.