Anika to supply Bausch & Lomb with viscoelastic products

Entering new supply agreement

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (Woburn, MA) has entered into a new supply agreement with Bausch & Lomb Surgical, to become Bausch & Lomb's exclusive provider of Amvisc and Amvisc Plus, ophthalmic viscoelastic products, in the U.S. and international markets where approved, as of January 1, 2001.

Extending to December 31, 2007 the new agreement, which supersedes an existing supply contract with Bausch & Lomb that was set to expire December 31, 2001, is subject to earlier termination and/or reversion to a non-exclusive basis under certain conditions. The new agreement lifts contractual restrictions on Anika sales of certain ophthalmic products to other companies. In exchange, Anika has agreed to reduce its unit selling prices effective retroactively to April 1, 2000.

About Anika Therapeutics

Anika develops, manufactures and commercializes therapeutic products and devices intended to promote the repair, protection and healing of bone, cartilage and soft tissue. These products are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring, biocompatible polymer found throughout the body. In addition to Orthovisc, a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee (not approved for sale in the U.S.), Anika markets Hyvisc in the U.S. for equine osteoarthritis through Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and manufactures Amvisc and Amvisc Plus, HA viscoelastic products for ophthalmic surgery, for Bausch & Lomb Surgical.

Anika products under development include Incert, a family of HA products designed to prevent post-surgical adhesions. Anika is also collaborating with Orquest, Inc. to manufacture Ossigel, an injectable formulation of basic fibroblast growth factor combined with HA designed to accelerate bone fracture healing.

For more information: Douglas R. Potter, CFO of Anika Therapeutics, Inc. Tel: 781-932-6616, ext. 214.

Edited by Angelo DePalma