ThermoGenesis Corp. Initiates Shipments of Thrombin Processing Devices(TM) (TPD(TM)) To Biomet, Inc.

Agreement Allows Biomet to Immediately Market Their Gravitational Platelet Separation System (GPS) in Europe, Canada and Asia as a Fully Autologous Product 


RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug. 16  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (NASDAQ:KOOL) announced today that the Company has begun shipping its CE marked TPD to the Biomet, Inc. (NASDAQ:BMET) subsidiary, Cell Factor Technologies, Inc. (CFT). CFT will use the TPD to prepare autologous thrombin while a customized centrifugal thrombin device, named Clotalyst(TM), is under development by ThermoGenesis. The TPD disposable kit, which produces stable, activated thrombin from the patient's own blood in less than 30 minutes, will enable CFT to immediately address this demand in Europe, Canada, and Asia. Approximately $180 million of thrombin annually is consumed worldwide as a blood clotting enzyme that surgeons use for 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 pleased to support Biomet's subsidiary CFT by supplying them the TPD to immediately address the many potential thrombin applications in their orthopedic, spinal, maxillofacial, and dental reconstructive markets. Access to the TPD allows CFT to immediately satisfy the demand in various countries for an autologous thrombin, while development of the Clotalyst device as a seamless adjunct to their GPS platelet system progresses. This novel disposable allows surgeons to treat patients with autologous thrombin (thrombin manufactured from their own blood), instead of bovine thrombin."

Joel Higgins, Vice President of Technical Affairs for CFT, commented, "We are pleased to be able to immediately satisfy the demand for a completely "autologous" platelet product. The initial reaction of our customers in Europe and Canada appears favorable."

Regulatory Status

ThermoGenesis has received the right to affix the CE Mark to the TPD from its Notified Body. The regulatory pathway in the United States will require a Pre-Market Approval Application for the platelet gel product of which 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(R) 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., [phone]



Web site:  http://www.thermogenesis.com/

Copyright