New hope for 3.5 million men suffering from incontinence: superior performance in the surgical treatment of male stress urinary incontinence is expected of Levera, the newest addition to Coloplast A/S. COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Coloplast A/S announced today that they have signed an agreement with Caldera Medical, Inc., California, transferring substantially all assets related to the Levera male incontinence treatment from Caldera to Coloplast. The Levera male incontinence therapy represents the next generation of sling therapy addressing symptoms of male stress urinary incontinence ("SUI"). It is a key element in the continued expansion of Coloplast's surgical portfolio for Men's Health. Currently in final stages of development, the Levera system offers a superior alternative to traditional surgical modalities. The new treatment is being driven by input from a team of urology experts in the field of male incontinence therapies. Commenting on behalf of the team, consisting of doctors Craig Comiter, Chief, Section of Urology, University of Arizona, Victor Nitti, Professor and Vice Chairman of Urology, NYU, and Eugene Rhee, Associate Chief of Urology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Dr. Comiter stated, "Clearly there is a need for more advanced approaches in the treatment of male SUI. Levera represents the potential for a minimally invasive surgical procedure that will improve upon the results of the first-generation male slings. It should be a welcome addition to the urologist's armamentarium for men who suffer from incontinence." The Levera male sling is a method for treating incontinence by placing a support, or sling, near the urethra, restoring it to a more normal position. The sling exerts pressure on the urethra to improve continence. A similar approach is widely used for women with stress incontinence, and the Levera Male Incontinence Therapy is expected to raise the bar for male sling therapy. In the US and Europe alone, over 3.5 million men suffer from SUI. While not a life threatening disease it is one that has serious adverse effects on the quality of life, and continues to affect an increasing number of men worldwide. "Coloplast intends to lead the market in developing and introducing next- generation surgical therapies for disorders affecting the daily lives of both men and women," said Lars Rasmussen, Group Executive Vice President. "An advanced male sling therapy represents a significant step in equipping the surgeon with leading-edge procedures for improving the lives of men. Caldera Medical has shown great foresight in sponsoring the development of this unique solution for male SUI, and, along with a team of leading urologists, Coloplast will continue the development to its successful clinical conclusion." Coloplast develops, manufactures and markets medical devices and services to an increasing number of users all over the world. Our business areas include ostomy care products; urology & continence care products and products for wound & skin care. We work closely with health care professionals and product users in creating new and innovative products and services. We employ approximately 7,000 people. DATASOURCE: Coloplast Corp. CONTACT: Maria Toso, Communications Consultant, Coloplast Corp., +1-612-337-7954, Web site: http://www.coloplast.com/

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