BMET Biomet (MM)

ThermoGenesis Corp. to Supply Autologous Thrombin Kits to Biomet, Inc. Agreement Addresses the Need for Autologous Clotting Factors and Reduces the Risk of Exposure to Bovine Thrombin RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., April 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (NASDAQ:KOOL) announced today that the Company and Biomet, Inc (NASDAQ:BMET) reached agreement for the Company to supply Biomet's subsidiary, Cell Factor Technologies, Inc. (CFT) with disposable kits that produce stable, activated thrombin from the patients own blood in less than 30 minutes. Approximately $180 million of thrombin annually is consumed worldwide as a blood clotting enzyme that surgeons use for topical hemostasis, the treatment of pseudoaneurysms, and to form "platelet gels" for the treatment of damaged tissue. Kevin Simpson, President & COO of ThermoGenesis noted, "We are very excited about our new partnership with Biomet's CFT subsidiary to address the many potential thrombin applications in their orthopedic, neurosurgery, maxilliofacial, and dental reconstructive markets. This novel disposable device, based on our technology and patents, allows surgeons to treat patients with autologous thrombin (thrombin manufactured from their own blood), instead of bovine thrombin that has been reported to cause adverse reactions in patients as reported in 28 peer reviewed journal articles. In Europe and Japan, these health risks and additional concerns about "mad cow disease" have nearly ended the clinical use of bovine thrombin. Joel Higgins, Vice President of Technical Affairs for CFT, commented, "Our agreement with ThermoGenesis will provide a key product for our customers to create the highest quality and safest biological solutions for enhanced recovery. This new thrombin device will enable our Gravitational Platelet Separation System (GPS) to provide a completely "autologous" platelet gel that our customers are currently demanding. We look forward to working with ThermoGenesis to bring this device to market." Regulatory Status An autologous thrombin disposable device manufactured by ThermoGenesis has received CE Mark approval from the European Union Competent Authorities and is being sold in Europe by the Biomet subsidiary, Interpore International, Inc. This newly configured thrombin disposable device will be marketed under the Biomet trademarked name, Clotalyst(TM) Thrombin Device, and is expected to be submitted for CE Mark this year. The regulatory pathway in the United States is unclear and may require a Pre-Market Approval Application for the platelet gel product of which the autologous thrombin is a component. About Biomet Inc. 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 softgoods and bracing products. Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Biomet and its subsidiaries currently distribute products in more than 100 countries. About ThermoGenesis Corp. After extensive research, ThermoGenesis Corp.'s newly introduced technology platforms lead the world in their ability to produce biological products from single units of blood. Umbilical cord blood banks are utilizing the Company's BioArchive(R) System as a critical enabling technology for cryogenic archiving of stem cells for transplant, while its CryoSeal FS System is used to prepare hemostatic and adhesive surgical sealants from patient blood in about an hour. ThermoGenesis Corp. has been a leading supplier of state-of-the-art Ultra-Rapid Blood Plasma Freezers and Thawers to hospitals and blood banks since 1992. The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, certain delays beyond the company's control with respect to market acceptance of new technologies and products, delays in testing and evaluation of products, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: ThermoGenesis Corp. CONTACT: Kevin Simpson of ThermoGenesis Corp., +1-916-858-5100 Web site: http://www.thermogenesis.com/

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