Advanced Tissue Sciences Issued Patent for NouriCel Process; First U.S. Patent to Cover Collection of Cell Conditioned Media for Cosmetic Use.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BIOWIRE2K

LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 15, 2002

Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATIS) announced today that it has been issued a U.S. patent for the method of making media conditioned by human fibroblasts grown in three dimensions and using it as a cosmetic ingredient. This conditioned media is manufactured by Advanced Tissue Sciences and marketed by its subsidiary, BioNuvia, Inc. under the name of NouriCel(TM).

"We are very pleased to add this patent to our already strong portfolio," said Gail K. Naughton, Ph.D., vice chairman of Advanced Tissue Sciences. "We believe the claims in the patent are broad enough to cover the formation of fibroblast-conditioned media collected from any three-dimensional culture system, which produces significantly higher quantities of key compounds than media derived from one- or two-dimensional processes. In addition, we believe this is the only U.S. patent to cover the process of making cell conditioned media and using it as a cosmetic. We look forward to reinforcing NouriCel's position as a cosmetic ingredient unlike any other on the market."

The patent includes claims directed to processes of culturing fibroblast cells in three dimensions, removing the conditioned medium from the cells and formulating the medium with appropriate ingredients such that the combination is suitable for cosmetic application. The patent number is 6,372,494.

The patent is the latest in a series of developments relating to Advanced Tissue Sciences' aesthetic business. In March of this year, the company established a wholly owned subsidiary, called BioNuvia, Inc., to focus on developing and marketing bioengineered products that enhance appearance, rejuvenate the body and promote overall health. BioNuvia's product offerings include NouriCel, NouriCel-MD(TM) and human-based collagen for aesthetic applications.

More recently, the company endorsed the agreement between its alliance partner, Biozhem Cosmeceuticals, Inc., and Thane International, Inc., a global leader in multi-channel marketing. Under the terms of the agreement, Advanced Tissue Sciences will receive the previously established transfer price, milestones and royalties from NouriCel sales. The agreement is expected to accelerate the sales of Biozhem's RevitaCel System(TM), a skin care line containing NouriCel.

In addition, Advanced Tissue Sciences and BioNuvia are jointly presenting study results on NouriCel at this week's Society of Investigative Dermatology in Los Angeles. The results are from a series of studies of various formulations of NouriCel comprising more than 90 subjects. Results were measured by silicone replicas for skin surface topography and cutometer readings for skin elasticity. The poster includes the following highlights:

-- In a study of 29 subjects, 55 percent of the subjects in the treatment group
showed a reduction in wrinkles, 90 percent saw a decrease in the number of fine
lines, 89 percent achieved an improvement in skin texture and 80 percent had
improved elasticity.

-- In a study of 44 subjects, 82 percent of the subjects in the treatment group
showed a reduction in wrinkles, 71 percent had a decrease in the number of fine
lines, 89 percent had an improvement in skin texture and 75 percent had
improved elasticity.

-- In an ongoing split face, double-blind, controlled study of more than 200
subjects, preliminary results from the first 20 subjects showed that 70 percent
demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in skin texture, fine
lines and wrinkles on the side of the face treated with a concentrated
formulation of NouriCel. In addition, for all parameters, the most favorable
individual and average results on the NouriCel side of the face exceeded those
of the placebo.

"Since BioNuvia was formed, we have made considerable progress in our mission to deliver a new class of biomaterials for the aesthetic marketplace," said Kerry Vail, vice president and general manager of BioNuvia. "We have endorsed a very exciting agreement between Biozhem and one of the leading direct marketing companies in the world. We are presenting scientific data that further establishes the benefits of NouriCel. And with this patent, we are solidifying our position as the only source for making cosmetic ingredients actually produced by healthy new skin cells."

BioNuvia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Advanced Tissue Sciences, delivers a new category of biomaterials that enhance appearance, rejuvenate the body and promote overall health. Its unique aesthetic product offerings are derived from patented technology used to grow human-based tissues for repair and transplantation. As a result, BioNuvia leverages the body's own natural mechanisms for rejuvenation and renewal. More information on BioNuvia is available at www.bionuvia.com.

Advanced Tissue Sciences is redefining tissue repair and transplantation with human-based products developed and derived from its patented, tissue-engineering technology. The company's efforts are concentrated in four therapeutic areas where the body cannot heal itself: wound care; aesthetic and reconstructive; cardiovascular; and orthopedic. Three products are currently on the market: TransCyte(R), a temporary covering for second- and third-degree burns; Dermagraft(R), for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers; and NouriCel(TM) for skincare and cosmetic markets. The company's tissue-engineered, human-based collagen is awaiting U.S. regulatory marketing approval for wrinkle injections. Other products are in clinical or preclinical trials.

The company has two joint ventures with Smith & Nephew, plc a strategic alliance with Inamed Corporation and a collaboration with Medtronic, Inc. More information on Advanced Tissue Sciences is available at www.advancedtissue.com.

Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical may be "forward-looking" statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those described in this press release due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the company's operations, including, without limitation, uncertainties related to a history of operating losses and accumulated deficits, the company's ability to obtain and retain patent protection, the competitive protection any such patents will provide to the company, market acceptance of products, the company's reliance on collaborative relationships, clinical trials, the ability to obtain the appropriate regulatory approvals, the ability to obtain additional milestones and financing to continue operations when needed, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, without limitation, Advanced Tissue Sciences' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 and Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2002. The company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date hereof.