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.
