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CYTOMEDIX LICENSES PATENTS TO
BIOMET FOR $2.6 MILLION
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 22, 2006– Cytomedix, Inc. (AMEX: GTF),
a biotechnology company specializing in advanced technologies and
autologous platelet gels for chronic non-healing wounds, today
announced that it has entered into a $2.6 million licensing
agreement with Biomet Biologics, Inc., a subsidiary of Biomet, Inc.,
(NASDAQ: BMET), a global manufacturer and marketer of
musculoskeletal products for surgical and non- surgical therapies.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cytomedix will receive a total of
$2.6 million via an immediate payment of $1.4 million and $100,000
each quarter for the next three years. Cytomedix will also receive
from Biomet royalty-free licenses to certain Biomet patents related
to platelet gel products. In exchange for these payments and patent
licenses, Cytomedix has granted to Biomet a worldwide non-exclusive
license under its key “Knighton” patent(US Patent No. 5,165,938 and
corresponding patents in other countries) for all applications of
its autologous platelet releasate process except for use in the
chronic, non-healing wound market.
“We are pleased that a highly respected company such as Biomet is
embracing our proprietary technology for its own platelet gel
products. Their confidence in this technology further strengthens
our patent position. Theadditional cash infusion also strengthens
our ability to pursue our strategies aggressively,” stated Kshitij
Mohan, Ph.D., Cytomedix’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
Dr.Mohan noted that Cytomedix is focused on licensing its technology
as well as developing its own products. To date, it has entered into
several licensing agreements, resulting in a growing royalty income
stream for the Company. Cytomedix licenses its autologous platelet
gel technology for a number of applications that include orthopedic
surgery, spinal neurosurgery, bloodseparation, and blood therapies.
The Company’s patented technology utilizes platelet-rich plasma
taken from a patient’s own blood to produce anautologous plasma gel
that can be used by physicians for healing ofdamaged tissue, such as
surgical or chronic wounds.
“This cross-license will provide Cytomedix and Biomet Biologics with
increased opportunities to benefit patients with platelet
concentration technologies," stated Stuart Kleopfer, President of
Biomet Biologics.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Cytomedix, Inc. is a biotechnology company specializing in
processes and products derived from autologous platelet releasates
for uses in the treatment of wounds and other applications. The
current offering is AutoloGel™System, a process that utilizes an
autologous platelet gel composed of multiple growth factors and
fibrin matrix. The Company has announced favorable results from its
blinded, prospective, multi-center clinical trial on the use of its
technology in healing diabetic foot ulcers and has submitted a
510(k) application for marketing clearance for a new product to the
FDA seeking specific labeled indications for the healing of chronic
wounds. Additional information regarding Cytomedix is available at:
http://www.cytomedix.com
Biomet, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and
market products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical
specialists in both surgical and non-surgical therapy. The Company's
product portfolio encompasses reconstructive products, including
orthopedic joint replacement devices, bone cements and accessories,
and dental reconstructive implants; fixation products, including
electrical bone growth stimulators, internal and external orthopedic
fixation devices, craniomaxillofacial implants and bone substitute
materials; spinal products, including spinal stimulation devices,
spinal hardware and orthobiologics; and other products, such as
arthroscopy products and soft goods and bracing products.
Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Biomet and its subsidiaries
currently distribute products in more than 100 countries.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
Statements contained in this press release not relating to historical facts are
forward-looking statements that are intended to fall within the safe harbor
rule for such statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The information contained in the forward-looking statements is
inherently uncertain, and Cytomedix's actual results may differ materially
due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond Cytomedix's ability to
predict or control, including among others, the success of new sales
initiatives, governmental regulation, acceptance by the medical community
and competition. There is no guarantee that the FDA will complete its
review of the Company’s 510(k) submission for a specific wound healing
indication within any estimated timeframe, or that the FDA will fully agree
with the Company in the interpretation of the data or the regulatory pathway
and provide marketing clearance. Further, even assuming the FDA grants
the Company’s request for marketing clearance, there is no guarantee that
the Company will receive Medicare reimbursement for its product; the
Company’s marketing efforts will be successful; or that it will be able to
achieve its other strategic goals. There is also no guarantee that the Company’s current capitalization will be sufficient to attain its goals or that
future funding will be available to the Company on acceptable terms. These
forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual events to differ from the forwardlooking
statements. More information about some of these risks and
uncertainties may be found in the reports filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission by Cytomedix, Inc. Except as is expressly required
by the federal securities laws, Cytomedix undertakes no obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, changed circumstances or future events or for any other
reason.
SOURCE: Cytomedix, Inc.
The Wall Street Group, Inc.
Ron Stabiner
(212) 888-4848 |
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