Notice of allowance for Steen Solution patent in USA

Vitrolife has received notice of allowance regarding patent in the USA for Steen Solution™, a solution for functional testing of lungs outside the body before transplantation. The patent contains both product and method claims, which means that both the composition of the solution and its use will be patent protected.

Vitrolife’s product Steen Solution™ is part of a new method for functional testing of lungs outside the body which enables donated lungs to be tested outside the body for possible use. The method thus has the possibility to considerably increase the number of organs available for transplantation. Steen Solution™ was developed by Professor Stig Steen and the transplantation team at the University Hospital of Lund has implemented the method. During 2006 seven transplantations were performed, a clinical breakthrough that makes it possible for more organs to be available for the patients waiting for transplantation.

The patent that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has sent a notice of allowance for with regard to Steen Solution™ is valid until 2021. The patent contains both product and method claims, which means that both the composition of the solution and its use will be patent protected. Vitrolife has applied for a patent for Steen Solution™ in all markets that are assessed to be important. Approval has previously been obtained in Australia. Activities to obtain sales approval in the USA are proceeding according to plan.

Approximately 2,600 lung transplantations per year are performed in the world today. With its product Perfadex®, Vitrolife has approximately 90 percent of the world market for lung transplantation solutions. Perfadex® is also used together with Steen Solution™ in the new method for functional testing of lungs outside the body. This medical breakthrough can in time lead to five to ten times as many lung transplantations being able to be carried out, as the need for donated organs using today’s methods considerably exceeds supply.



April 19, 2007
Kungsbacka, Sweden

Magnus Nilsson
CEO




Queries should be addressed to:
Magnus Nilsson, CEO, phone +46 31 721 80 00 or +46 708 22 80 61.
Anna Ahlberg, CFO, phone +46 31 721 80 13 or +46 708 22 80 13.