BEDFORD, Mass. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 8, 2009-- Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANIK) today announced that it has signed an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with  Palo Alto, California -based  Coapt Systems, Inc.  for its aesthetic dermatology franchise. Coapt Systems’ suite of bioabsorbable implants for use in facial aesthetic and rejuvenation procedures is highly complementary to Anika’s HA-based injectable filler that corrects lines and wrinkles on the face.

Under the terms of the agreement, Coapt Systems will distribute Anika’s aesthetic dermatology product exclusively in the United States for five years and there are two additional renewable terms. Developing line extensions for the aesthetic dermatology franchise will be a priority as Anika and Coapt Systems fill out the family of products.

“Coapt Systems is an ideal U.S. distribution partner for Anika as it has a highly complementary product line and a sales force that is very experienced in the technical sales of facial aesthetic products to plastic surgeons,” said Anika President and Chief Executive Officer Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D. “Our aesthetic products will provide Coapt Systems’ knowledgeable team of over 45 sales professionals with dermal fillers to complement their suite of bioabsorbable facial implants. Coapt Systems’ high-energy culture also is similar to our own, and we believe that they are well positioned to capitalize on the long-term opportunities.”

In addition to the United States, the product is approved in the EU and Canada. Anika continues to seek partner candidates in international geographies for its aesthetic dermatology product franchise.

About Coapt Systems, Inc.

Coapt Systems develops and markets unique facial rejuvenation products that help produce beautifully natural, long-lasting results for forehead, brow, cheek, and neck lifts. Endotine™ and Ultratine™ are clinically-proven products that provide face lift patients with minimally invasive treatment and rapid recovery. Novielle biocompatible hydrogel injectable fillers can provide voice restoration for patients suffering from vocal fold insufficiency. Coapt Systems is privately-held and headquartered in Palo Alto, California. For more information, please visit www.coaptsystems.com.

About Anika Therapeutics, Inc.

Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., Anika Therapeutics, Inc. develops, manufactures and commercializes therapeutic products for tissue protection, healing and repair. These products are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring, biocompatible polymer found throughout the body. Anika’s products include ORTHOVISC®, a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee available internationally and marketed in the U.S. by DePuy Mitek; HYVISC®, a treatment for equine osteoarthritis marketed in the U.S. by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.; a family of aesthetic dermatology products for facial wrinkles, scar remediation and lip augmentation; AMVISC®, AMVISC® Plus, STAARVISC™-II and Shellgel™ injectable viscoelastic HA products for ophthalmic surgery; INCERT®, an HA-based anti-adhesive for surgical applications; ORTHOVISC® mini a treatment for osteoarthritis targeting small joints and available in Europe; MONOVISC™ a single-injection osteoarthritis product based on Anika’s proprietary cross-linking technology and also available in Europe and Turkey; and next generation products for joint health and aesthetic dermatology based on the Company’s proprietary, chemically modified HA.

The statements made in this press release which are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements that may be identified by words such as "expectations," "remains," "focus," "expected," "prospective," "expanding," "building," "continue," "progress," “plan,” "efforts," "hope," "believe," "objectives," "opportunities," "will," "seek," “expect” and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and which do not constitute historical matters identify forward-looking statements. These statements also include: those relating to the success of the company’s development and distribution agreement with Coapt Systems, Inc., and expectations relating to Coapt Systems’ ability to capitalize on long-term opportunities for its aesthetic dermatology product and future aesthetic dermatology line extensions. The Company's actual results could differ materially from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements described in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors including: (i) the company's ability to successfully commence and/or complete clinical trials of its products on a timely basis or at all, obtain clinical data to support a pre-market approval application and/or FDA approval, and/or receive FDA or other regulatory approvals of its products, or that such approvals will not be obtained in a timely manner or without the need for additional clinical trials; (ii) the company's research and product development efforts and their relative success, including whether the company has any meaningful sales of any new products resulting from such efforts; (iii) the cost effectiveness and efficiency of our manufacturing operations and production planning; (iv) the strength of the economies in which the company operates or will be operating, as well as the political stability of any of those geographic areas (v) future determinations by the company to allocate resources to products and in directions not presently contemplated. Certain other factors that might cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those set forth under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as well as those described in the company's other press releases and SEC filings.

Source: Anika Therapeutics, Inc.

Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D., 781-457-9000
CEO
or
Kevin W. Quinlan, 781-457-9000
CFO