American Medical Systems Signs Patent Cross-Licensing Agreement with ETHICON; Agreement Covers Technology Related to Women's Pelvic Health.MINNEAPOLIS -- American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMMD AMMD Aerodynamic Mass Median Diameter ) announced today that it has entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement with ETHICON Inc., through its GYNECARE Worldwide Division. Under the agreement, both companies are cross-licensing patents related to the field of female pelvic health. This agreement will permit both companies to concentrate their efforts on innovation that will benefit both physicians and their patients. "American Medical Systems sees this arrangement as a testament to both companies' interest in bringing innovative treatments to the field of female pelvic health. This arrangement will also allow us to focus more resources on the development of curative curative /cur·a·tive/ (kur´ah-tiv) tending to overcome disease and promote recovery. cu·ra·tive adj. 1. Serving or tending to cure. 2. treatments needed by millions of women each year," said Ross Longhini, Chief Technology Officer of American Medical Systems. Although financial terms were not disclosed, the agreement will not be material to American Medical Systems' current operations. American Medical Systems American Medical Systems, headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota For other uses, see Minnetonka (disambiguation). Minnetonka is a suburban community located eight miles west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. Its 2000 population of 51,480 makes it the fourteenth largest city in Minnesota. , is the world leader in medical devices and procedures to cure incontinence, abnormal uterine bleeding uterine bleeding Abnormal bleeding from the uterus not related to menstruation. Most common in the first few years after menarche and as menopause approaches, it is thought to occur when malfunctioning ovaries reduce blood estrogen levels. , erectile dysfunction Erectile Dysfunction Definition Erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse. and urinary obstructions caused primarily by benign prostatic hyperplasia benign prostatic hyperplasia n. Abbr. BPH A nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland commonly occurring in men after the age of 50, and sometimes leading to compression of the urethra and obstruction of the flow of urine. or strictures. Although not life threatening, these disorders can significantly diminish one's quality of life and profoundly affect social relationships. In recent years the number of people seeking treatment has increased markedly as a result of longer lives, higher quality-of-life expectations and greater awareness of new treatment alternatives. Forward-Looking Statements. Statements about the company's future product availability and sales are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties including the timing and success of new product introductions, physician acceptance, endorsement, and use of the company's products, competitor activities, changes in reimbursement rates, and potential product recalls. These risks and others are more fully described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ended January 3, 2004, and its other SEC filings. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. More information about the company and its products can be found at its website www.AmericanMedicalSystems.com and in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2003 and its other SEC filings. |
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