Gore Announces First Use of GORE Embolic Liquid to Occlude Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation at Oregon Health & Science University.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today the first use of the GORE Embolic Liquid (GEL) at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) by Stanley Barnwell, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Barnwell and his team successfully treated the first patient in the MAGELAN trial (prospective, Multicenter, feAsibility trial to evaluate the safety and performance of Gore Embolic Liquid used in presurgical embolization of cerebral Arteriovenous malformatioN). The first phase of the study is expected to include ten to twenty-five patients and to demonstrate the safety of the material.

"OHSU is pleased to be the first center to enroll and treat a patient in the MAGELAN trial," said Dr. Barnwell, an associate professor of neurological surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine and a member of the Oregon Stroke Center and the Dotter Interventional Institute. "If clinical trials are successful, the GORE Embolic Liquid would represent a significant step forward in the endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular defects. It is fast and easy to use, non-toxic, and alleviates concerns for catheter adhesion."

The GORE Embolic Liquid (GEL), formerly known as ALGEL, was developed by Neural Intervention Technologies (Ann Arbor, Michigan), the University of Michigan and Arizona State University. GORE acquired Neural Intervention Technologies in July 2006. Since the acquisition, all company operations have been moved to Gore's facilities in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The GEL is a two-part system that is injected to the defect site via a concentric microcatheter system. When the two parts mix in situ, a mechanically and biologically stable occlusion is formed via a biocompatible cross-linking process. The first application of the material is for pre-surgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations. "The GEL is an alginate-based, occlusive material and has demonstrated both excellent controllability and biocompatibility in pre-clinical studies," said Tim Becker, Ph.D., a co-inventor of the device.

"First human use of the GEL product represents a significant step forward for this important material and for improved patient outcomes. Gore's overall commitment to providing valuable treatments for stroke prevention and treatment is reflected by our commitment to this study as well as future trials with GEL," stated Sarah McCurdy, Business Leader of Gore's Stroke Interventions Business Unit.

ABOUT OHSU

Oregon Health & Science University is Oregon's only health and research university and only academic health center. OHSU serves more than 184,000 patients, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,900 students and trainees. The institution serves as a catalyst for the region's bioscience industry and is an incubator of discovery, averaging one new breakthrough or innovation every four days. OHSU disclosed 101 inventions in 2005 alone, and has helped start 57 new spinoff companies, most of which are based in Oregon.

The Oregon Stroke Center at OHSU is recognized as a national leader in research and patient care. In collaboration with the Dotter Institute, it conducts clinical trials on new treatments for cerebrovascular diseases.

The Dotter Interventional Institute was established in 1990 and offers a multidisciplinary program in interventional therapy with emphasis on interventional education, research and patient care.

ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES

The Gore Medical Products Division has provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for over three decades. During that time, more than 18 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. The extensive Gore Medical family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia repair and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac and general surgery. Gore was recently named the fifth best company to work for by Fortune Magazine.

Products listed may not be available in all markets pending regulatory clearance. GORE is a trademark of W. L. Gore & Associates. ALGEL is a trademark of Neural Intervention Technologies, Inc.