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Empresas y finanzas

Anika Therapeutics Launches ORTHOVISC(R) mini in Europe


    Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANIK) today announced that it
    has launched ORTHOVISC(R) mini in the European Union. ORTHOVISC mini
    is a smaller dosage indication of ORTHOVISC(R), which has been
    marketed in Europe since 1996 and is used mainly for treatment of
    osteoarthritis of the knee. The Company is also initiating a
    post-approval clinical study of ORTHOVISC mini to gain additional
    clinical experience with regional opinion leaders who specialize in
    the treatment of osteoarthritis in small joints.

    "The launch of ORTHOVISC mini is a key milestone in our goal to
    enhance our joint health franchise by broadening the opportunities for
    our existing product line," said Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D., Anika´s
    president and chief executive officer. "We will utilize our existing
    European ORTHOVISC distribution network for this new product, and
    anticipate filling initial orders before the end of the first
    quarter."

    The multi-center clinical study with ORTHOVISC mini will target
    the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb. Anika has
    previously studied the use of ORTHOVISC in other small joints such as
    the ankle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

    For more information, please visit our website at
    www.orthoviscmini.com.

    About Anika Therapeutics, Inc.

    Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
    develops, manufactures and commercializes therapeutic products for
    tissue protection, healing and repair. These products are based on
    hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring, biocompatible polymer
    found throughout the body. Anika´s products include ORTHOVISC(R), a
    treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee available internationally and
    marketed in the U.S. by DePuy Mitek; HYVISC(R), a treatment for equine
    osteoarthritis marketed in the U.S. by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica,
    Inc.; the ELEVESS(TM) family of aesthetic dermatology products for
    facial wrinkles, scar remediation and lip augmentation; AMVISC(R),
    AMVISC(R) Plus, STAARVISC(TM)-II and Shellgel(TM) injectable
    viscoelastic HA products for ophthalmic surgery; INCERT(R), an
    HA-based anti-adhesive for surgical applications; and next generation
    products for joint health and aesthetic dermatology based on the
    Company´s proprietary, chemically modified HA.

    The statements made in this press release which are not statements
    of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning
    of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation,
    statements that may be identified by words such as "expects,"
    "initiating," "anticipate," "intended," "opportunities," "will,"
    "target," and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate
    future events and trends and which do not constitute historical
    matters identify forward-looking statements. These statements also
    include: (i) the Company´s expectations concerning its ORTHOVISC mini
    product, (ii) statements concerning the clinical study of ORTHOVISC
    mini, and (iii) the Company´s expectation that it will begin filling
    initial orders for the product in Europe before the end of the first
    quarter. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and
    expectations of the Company´s management and are subject to
    significant risks, uncertainties and other factors. The Company´s
    actual results could differ materially from any anticipated future
    results, performance or achievements described in the forward-looking
    statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include
    the risk that (i) the Company´s existing distributors or customers
    will not place orders for ORHTOVISC mini, (ii) the Company´s efforts
    to enter into long-term marketing and distribution arrangements,
    including with new international distributors for ORTHOVISC mini, will
    not be successful, (iii) new distribution arrangements will not result
    in meaningful sales of the Company´s products, (iv) competitive
    products will adversely impact the Company´s product sales, or (v) the
    estimated size(s) of the markets which the Company has targeted its
    products will fail to be achieved, could have a material adverse
    effect on our results of operations, any of which may have a material
    adverse effect on the Company´s business and operations. Certain other
    factors that might cause the Company´s actual results to differ
    materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those
    set forth under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors" and
    "Management´s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations" in each of the Company´s Annual Report on Form
    10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and on Form 10-Q for the
    periods ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2007, as well as
    those described in the Company´s other press releases and SEC filings.