STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 18, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Artimplant's (Other OTC:APLTF) Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I has been approved for marketing in Europe through a CE certification issued by Artimplant's notified body, Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.
Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I is the second Artimplant product now being granted approval for marketing.
The Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I is developed for patients with thumb base (CMC-I) arthritis and clinical results are good. Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC- I is introducing a new biological concept aiming at stabilizing the CMC- I joint, while at the same time it acts as a spacer between the joint surfaces. The Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I is implanted in the joint at the thumb base and makes the patients with CMC-I arthritis painless with regained grip strength. In most of all earlier therapies, the entire bone that is damaged by arthritis is removed from the hand, which results in an irrevocable damage of the joint. This is not the case with the Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I concept.
According to Artimplant estimates, only approximately 80,000 patients in the western world with CMC-I arthritis are operated on, since the current procedures - joint fusion, arthroplasty and other prostheses - are complicated and often with clinical results that are less satisfactory.
Procedures with Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I are less complicated. The operation can be performed at an orthopedic clinic, and with local anesthesia, resulting in lower costs, etc. Clinical studies with Artimplant's implant (up to three years) show that patients are painless and regain grip strength as well as a stable CMC-I joint.
It is estimated that more than 20 percent of all women and over 10 percent of all men older than 55 years of age suffer from CMC-I arthritis, which is an indication that the product has large market potential.
Artelon(TM) Spacer CMC-I currently subject to licensing discussions with global orthopedic companies.
For additional information, please contact:
Tord Lendau, CEO, phone +46 (0)31 746 56 00, +46 (0)708 369 403, tord.lendau@artimplant.se
Ulf Akerblom, Vice President, Corporate Development, phone +46 (0)31 746 56 00, +46 (0)709 675 999, ulf.akerblom@artimplant.se
ARTIMPLANT
Artimplant is a biomaterial company that focuses on orthopedic surgery solutions. The company runs R&D operations for biodegradable implants and develops manufacturing processes for the implants. Its goal is to enable active lives. Artimplant's biomaterial is based on a new technology that's opening new markets within orthopedic surgery and closely related areas that have extensive med-tech needs.
Artimplant developed and patented several different degradable ligament implants that are now in clinical trials. The company's business concept is to license products and technologies to global partners.
The Artimplant stock is listed on the Stockholm stock exchange's O list.
This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net
The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/18/20030818BIT01080/wkr0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/08/18/20030818BIT01080/wkr0002.pdf