STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Nov. 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Swedish biomaterials company Artimplant, signs a distribution agreement for Artelon(r) Surgical Suture with ArthroCare Corporation.
The new non-exclusive distribution agreement for North America covers present sizes of Artelon(r) Surgical Suture and is the first of its kind for Artimplant. ArthroCare will make the sutures available through its distribution channels. For Artimplant, the revenues will come from sales of finished products to ArthroCare.
Tord Lendau, CEO of Artimplant, said:
"The unique properties of the Artelon(r) Surgical Suture make it suitable whenever long-term support to tissue is needed. Its long-term degradation, elasticity and superior knotability open up the use of Artelon(r) degradable sutures in situations where only permanent sutures could be used before. Also, as Artelon(r) sutures need fewer knots to secure the suture it save time for the doctor. This agreement will help Artimplant make the Artelon(r) Surgical Suture available on the orthopedic market. Due to the variety of applications in which the Artelon(r) Surgical Suture is suitable, we plan to market the product through non-exclusive distribution agreements with major medical technology companies."
Longer degradation time
Artelon(r) Surgical Suture has a significantly longer degradation time compared to absorbable sutures currently on the market. In high demand clinical situations such as patients with slowly healing tissue or tissue exposed to high mechanical load, surgeons often use non-absorbable sutures, since the current absorbable sutures degrade too rapidly. These non-absorbable sutures frequently need to be removed at a second surgery. In situations like these, Artelon(r)'s unique long-term degradability offer new therapeutic advantages.
Superior knotability
Artelon(r) Surgical Suture has both superior knotability and knot security, meaning that they are easily tied and require fewer knots to obtain secure locking. Clinicians have particularly stressed the importance of these features in arthroscopic suturing. Also, due to the elasticity of Artelon(r), they behave similarly to their host tissue and thereby reduce the risk of tearing.
Unique biomaterial
Artelon(r) is a unique long-term degradable biomaterial that acts as a temporary scaffold to facilitate formation of new host tissue. Due to its versatility and unique combination of properties -- long-term degradation, mechanical properties similar to human tendons and excellent biocompatibility in hard and soft tissue -- Artelon(r) offers new solutions to unmet clinical needs in several therapy areas.
Artelon(r) Surgical Suture available in USP sizes 2-0, 0, 1 and 2, with and without needle, is cleared for marketing in Europe and USA.
Artimplant has also posted the following press releases the last four months on www.artimplant.com
Artelon(r) nanofibers successfully used as coating on metal implants Artimplant signs four new development and license agreements with Small Bone Innovations Artimplant receives CE-mark for Artelon(r) Surgical Suture Artimplant expands its long-term degradable Artelon(r) Surgical Suture product range New study shows that Artelon(r) works as a dermal filler Artimplant expand the field of application for Artelon(r) Artimplant employs Ms. Susanne Hamilton as Product Manager Odontology Artimplant appoints Lars-Johan Cederbrant as Chief financial Officer Electrospinning of Artelon(r) in collaboration with IFP Research and Chalmers University of Technology expand the opportunities for Artimplant Artimplant boosts its commercial base through CE-mark for two new products within odontology and craniomaxillofacial surgery
About Artimplant
Artimplant is a biomaterials company focused on solutions to problems in orthopedic, odontological and reconstructive surgery. The Company is engaged in the development, production and marketing of degradable implants designed to restore active lifestyles and improve quality of life. The proprietary technology Artelon(r), a long-term degradable biomaterial, offers new solutions to unmet clinical needs and opens new markets. Artimplant's business model is that of licensing its products and technology to global partners. The Company currently has six licensing agreements with two global partners. Artimplant is a public company, listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, O-list.
About ArthroCare Corporation
Founded in 1993, ArthroCare Corp. (www.arthrocare.com) is a highly innovative, multi-business medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive surgical products. With these products, ArthroCare targets a multi-billion dollar market opportunity across several medical specialties, significantly improving existing surgical procedures and enabling new, minimally invasive procedures. Many of ArthroCare's products are based on its patented Coblation technology, which uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to gently and precisely dissolve rather than burn soft tissue -- minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Used in more than four million surgeries worldwide, Coblation-based devices have been developed and marketed for sports medicine; spine/neurologic; ear, nose and throat (ENT); cosmetic; urologic and gynecologic procedures. ArthroCare also has added a number of novel technologies to its portfolio, including Opus Medical sports medicine, Parallax spine and Applied Therapeutics ENT products, to complement Coblation within key indications.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties impacting the Company's business including increased competition; the ability of the Company to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic conditions; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings.
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