ORTEC SUCCESSFULY DEFENDS EUROPEAN PATENT ON ORCEL.Ortec International (Nasdaq:ORTC ORTC Old Republic Title Company ORTC Operational Readiness Training Complex ), New York, has successfully defended an opposition filed with the European Patent Office by Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc. challenging the validity of Ortec's European patent on OrCel(TM), Ortec's tissue engineering platform technology. Commenting on the successful defense, Steven Katz, Ph.D., Ortec's chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. stated, "This is the second challenge from a competitor Ortec has successfully defended. We have always felt confident in the strength of our patent, and the European Patent Office's decision reaffirms the novelty and inventiveness of Ortec's leading technology." Advanced Tissue Sciences has the right to appeal for two months following the official date of issuance of the decision. Ortec was originally granted the European patent on its OrCel technology on December 29,1997 (patent #EP0526550) and received notification that it was being challenged by Advanced Tissue Sciences November 5, 1998. In 1996, Ortec successfully defended its U.S. patent on OrCel in a patent reexamination challenge by Organogenesis, another competitor of Ortec. In addition, Ortec has also recently filed several patents in the U.S. for processes relating to its cryopreservation cryopreservation /cryo·pres·er·va·tion/ (-prez?er-va´shun) maintenance of the viability of excised tissue or organs by storing at very low temperatures. cry·o·pres·er·va·tion n. , cell production and manufacturing. About Ortec International, Inc. Ortec International, Inc., (Nasdaq:ORTC), is a tissue-engineering company involved in the commercialization of a proprietary and patented technology to stimulate the repair and regeneration of human tissue. Ortec's current focus is the application of its OrCel(TM) (Bilayered Cellular Matrix) to heal chronic and acute wounds. OrCel is composed of a collagen sponge seeded with allogeneic allogeneic /al·lo·ge·ne·ic/ (-je-ne´ik) 1. having cell types that are antigenically distinct. 2. in transplantation biology, denoting individuals (or tissues) that are of the same species but antigenically epidermal and dermal cells. These cells secrete growth factors and cytokines normally found in acute human wounds and are believed to have a beneficial role in promoting tissue repair. In addition to having received FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. approvals during 2001 for the treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa Epidermolysis Bullosa Definition Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare inherited skin diseases that are characterized by the development of blisters following minimal pressure to the skin. and donor sites in burn patients, Ortec is also pursuing FDA approvals for venous and diabetic skin ulcers and is in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of clinical trials for these indications. Ortec believes that its platform technology may extend to the regeneration of other human tissue such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, bone, muscle and blood vessels. For more information, visit http://www.ortecinternational.com or call 212/740-6999, ext. 204 |
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