STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 2, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Artimplant will broaden its organization by adding two staff functions:
-- strategic materials development -- strategic medical development
The aim is to bolster research in degradable materials and to augment the Company's strategic technology platform with new materials that will meet medical needs in the future.
Hans Bertilsson will be responsible for the Strategic Materials Development staff function. Bertilsson has headed up research and development at Artimplant since 1999 and prior to that, was a professor and head of the Department of Polymeric Materials at Chalmers University of Technology in Goteborg, Sweden.
Taking over as Director of Research and Development will be Elisabeth Liljensten, Doctor of Dental Medicine in biomaterials research at the Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology at Goteborg University. Since 1999, Liljensten has been in charge of Artimplant's biological and preclinical research and development.
The person to head the Strategic Medical Development staff function will be named later.
The new organization takes effect on April 2.
Artimplant
Artimplant specializes in biodegradable materials for use in orthopedic surgery. Artimplant is active in the research, development, and manufacturing of biologically degradable implants with the goal of recreating active lives for patients. The biodegradable material the Company has developed is based on a new technology that is opening new markets in the field of orthopedic surgery as well as other specialized fields where there are significant medical needs.
Artimplant has already developed and patented several different degradable ligament implants, now undergoing clinical trials. The Company is focusing on three high-priority areas for its degradable material, called Artelon(tm): an augmentation device for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, hand surgery, and augmentation sutures.
Artimplant is listed on the O list of Stockholmsborsen, the stock exchange in Stockholm.
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