Artes Medical Inc. Announces Founder’s Resignation

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Artes Medical, Inc., a medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing a new category of aesthetic injectable products for men and women, today announced the resignation of Dr. Stefan Lemperle from the company and its board of directors. Dr. Lemperle served as the company’s chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors from its inception in April 1999 through October 2006.

“On October 27, 2006, Artes Medical achieved a major milestone when we received final FDA approval for ArteFill®, the first and only FDA-approved non-resorbable aesthetic injectable implant for the correction of facial wrinkles known as nasolabial folds, or smile lines. With this important accomplishment achieved and serving as CEO and as a director for the past seven years, I now leave Artes Medical and plan to direct my efforts in new directions with the goal to develop new and innovative medical technologies and products that address underserved markets and carry the potential to change current medical practice and enhance patient outcomes. I wish Artes Medical and its management team the utmost success as they advance the company to the next stage of commercialization of ArteFill,” noted Stefan Lemperle, MD, a co-founder of Artes Medical.

Christopher J. Reinhard, executive chairman of the board of directors of Artes Medical stated, “We are very appreciative of Stefan’s numerous contributions to the company. He played a significant role in founding Artes Medical, obtaining FDA approval for ArteFill and establishing our dedicated cGMP manufacturing facility.”

Unlike existing dermal fillers that are completely metabolized by the body, ArteFill represents the first product in a new category of non-resorbable dermal fillers providing a permanent support structure for enduring wrinkle correction. Artes Medical intends to begin marketing and selling ArteFill to dermatologists, plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons in the U.S. through the company’s direct sales force.

About Artes Medical, Inc.

Artes Medical is a medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing a new category of aesthetic injectable products for the dermatology and plastic surgery markets. The company’s initial product, ArteFill, is a non-resorbable aesthetic injectable implant for the correction of facial wrinkles known as nasolabial folds, or smile lines, which will be marketed as a treatment for men and women. Based in San Diego, Calif., Artes Medical was founded in 1999 and is privately-held. Additional information about Artes Medical and ArteFill is available at www.artesmedical.com and www.artefill.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to its management. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. As a result of these risks, uncertainties and other factors, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release. These forward-looking statements represent beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Artes Medical® and ArteFill® are registered trademarks of

Artes Medical, Inc.

Contact: Corporate Media: Schwartz Communications, Inc. Nigel Smith, 415-512-0770 Senior Vice President artes@schwartz-pr.com or Corporate: Artes Medical, Inc. Diane Goostree, 858-550-9999 President investor@artesmedical.com

Source: Artes Medical, Inc.

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