CINVENTION And Relisys Medical Announce The Extension Of The Existing License

WIESBADEN, Germany, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- CINVENTION announced the extension of the existing License and Supply Agreement with Relisys Medical for the manufacturing, global marketing and sales of a non-eluting coronary stent with a bioactive nano-structured carbon-composite coating with pro- healing properties. Relisys' new stent consists of a Cobalt-Chromium Stent, coated with a porous carbon/carbon composite nano-structured matrix with a surface design for improved endothelialization. Relisys' Chairman Dr. N. Krishna Reddy said, this version of a coronary stent has the potential to overcome certain concerns with current Drug-Eluting Stents substantially. Krishna Reddy pointed out that the animal study results at Cardiovascular Research Institute in Washington D.C. published in April this year made also evident that the unique bioactive nano-porous carbon coating, that has no polymer, might address the issues of endothelialization, thrombosis, and continuing inflammation, the issues of concern with current polymer-based drug-eluting stents. The coating has been developed and provided by CINVENTION, formerly Blue Membranes, the Germany based company specialized in materials and surface engineering for biomedical applications. The CINVENTION coating eliminates the use of polymers and provides a bioactive surface with less thrombogeneity and pro-endothelialization properties -- thus, completely reducing tissue inflammation and reaction, but enhancing engraftment.

N.G. Badari Narayan, Managing Director, stated, Relisys' worldwide license and supply agreement with CINVENTION for the use of the carbon-based bioactive surface design would enable Relisys to provide an advanced stent as a potential alternative to current drug-eluting stents in the global market with unique advantages. Ongoing additional animal studies shall further validate the potential benefits with the unique coating. Mr. Narayan also announced that Relisys will additionally focus on receiving a CE mark for its non- eluting stent during the next year 2007 and subsequently directly entering the US market with the non-eluting stent

The next step will be a Multi Centre Clinical Trial with 15 international centers to evaluate both Non-eluting as well as the Drug-Eluting Stents of Relisys. Dr. Soh il Asgari, CEO and CTO of CINVENTION, commented "The recently upcoming issues with Drug-Eluting Stents have shown that the technology used is not proven enough. CINVENTION has focused on the use of non-thrombogenic materials and a superior design concept very early to avoid the potential complications that are now identified as the main issues of Drug-Eluting Stents. We have embedded a bioactive surface that attracts endothelial cells and promotes endothelial cell attachment and growth on these nano-structured carbons. Compared to other systems we also do not need to use questionable drugs, that are less selective, and also do not use any biologics that have to be attached on the surface previously. The coatings were derived from our cell cultivation knowledge and our products in the field of bio-manufacturing using mammalian cells. We think that currently there is no other company that has any comparable knowledge in both fields. We have demonstrated our technology leadership and we will focus on further non-exclusive commercialization of our next generation coatings -- with and without drug-elution."

About CINVENTION

CINVENTION AG is a leading technology company focusing on nano-composite materials in biomedical applications.

CINVENTION's unique portfolio of Nano-Composite Systems includes: - Drug Delivery Coatings - Multifunctional Device Coatings - Advanced Carrier Systems for Bio-processing - Tissue Engineering Bio-Materials - Carbon-Ceramic and Mixed Matrix Membranes

CINVENTION's mission is to exploit its proprietary and highly innovative technology platform for materials and surface engineering of nano-structured composites. Providing a sustainable portfolio of applications in medical device engineering, bio-processing and chemical processing CINVENTION solutions enable its customers to acquire superior technologies for next generation applications and profitable growth.

About Relisys Medical

Relisys Medical Devices Limited is a leading Indian medical device manufacturer, which has taken a lead in the indigenous development of medical devices like coronary stents, catheters and critical care products in India.

Relisys focus products includes: - Drug eluting stents - Angiographic/Angioplasty catheters - Occlusive devices - Cardiac surgery disposables - Critical care products

Relisys Medical Devices mission is to make quality medical care affordable through development of cutting edge technology and competitive pricing. Relisys Manufacturing facilities include a stent coating division and an integrated catheter manufacturing facility with in-house compounding, extrusion, injection molding, braiding, welding, tipping, grinding, sterilization and others.

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CONTACT: Soheil Dr. Asgari of CINVENTION AG, +49 611 962 8730, or fax, +49611 962 9606, or s.asgari@cinvention.com