Successful trials with Artimplant's spacer presented in Malmö

SUCCESSFUL TRIALS WITH ARTIMPLANT'S SPACER PRESENTED IN MALMÖ Patients with arthrosis in the basal joint of the thumb who are treated using a new surgical method with an implant (spacer) from Artimplant increase their gripping strength and feel less pain compared to patients who are treated using traditional methods. This is shown in a pilot study with 6-12 months of follow-up. The study is being presented at a hand surgery congress in Malmö today. Arthrosis in the basal joint of the thumb - carpometacarpale I (CMC-I) arthrosis - is the most common type of degeneration in the hand affecting middle-aged women. Patients suffer from pain, which in turn results in weakness in the hand and difficulty in performing different kinds of thumb grip, such as key grips and three-point grips. Today, treatment includes different types of support and finally a stiff operation for young patients and otherwise able-bodied men, and tendoplasty for middle-aged women. Because of long rehabilitation and the resulting reduction in strength in the thumb grips related to these treatments, different types of prothesis have been tried with little success. A new implant (called a spacer), which can be described as a small pillow, has been developed by Artimplant and is made of a degradable polymer material. The spacer is inserted into the thumb joint with the aim of separating the joint surfaces and stabilizing the joint. The purpose is to reduce pain and stabilize the joint for increased gripping strength. In the pilot study, five patients had the spacer inserted and five were treated using traditional methods, so called APL plasty. The trials were conducted by the Hand Surgery Clinic at the University of Gothenburg (Sahlgrenska) under the leadership of Dr. Anders Nilsson. Artimplant is a biomaterial company focused on unmet needs in the field of orthopedic surgery. Artimplant develops, manufactures and markets biodegradable implants with the aim of recreating an active life. The company's in-house developed biomaterial is based on a new patented technology that opens new market opportunities within orthopedic surgery and numerous other specialist areas where medical needs are large. After several years of development work Artimplant is now entering a market phase. Artimplant has developed and patented a number of biodegradable ligament implants currently undergoing clinical studies. Early observations from a pilot study using Artimplant's anterior crutiate ligament (ACL) implant show subjective as well as objective knee stability. The technique enables relatively early rehabilitation. A ruptured ACL in the knee is one of the most frequent ligament injuries and often leads to lifelong detrimental effects for the injured, and substantial costs to society. The market potential for Artimplant's ongoing development projects amounts to approximately SEK 30 bn. Furthermore, the market potential for Artimplant's carrier technology is estimated at more than SEK 50 bn. As part of Artimplant's market strategy Gothenburg Medical Center (GMC) was acquired enables relatively early rehabilitation with the purpose of establishing Swedish headquarters for Artimplant Academy - a forum for advanced clinical research, application and education within orthopedic surgery. Artimplant is listed on the O list of the OM Stockholm Exchange. Artimplant's interim reports and press releases can be retrieved from: www.artimplant.se For further information, please contact: Ulf Åkerblom, Investor relations phone: +46 70 967 5999 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/16/20010316BIT00650/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/03/16/20010316BIT00650/bit0001.pdf