Mass High Tech - February 17, 2006

Anika gets EU OK to sell wrinkle filler

The European Union has given Woburn-based Anika Therapeutics Inc. CE Mark approval to market its cosmetic tissue augmentation product, Redefyne, in the EU.

Redefyne is an injectable soft tissue filler for facial wrinkles, scar remediation and lip augmentation, based on Anika’s chemically modified hyaluronic acid (HA) proprietary technology and incorporates lidocaine, a local anesthetic.

According to Charles H. Sherwood, Anika’s president and chief executive officer, the company filed a pre-market approval application (PMA) for Redefyne in September 2005, which is currently under review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Anika is also actively seeking a partner to commercialize Redefyne worldwide, Sherwood said.

Anika Therapeutics stock was trading at midmorning for $12.78, up 69 cents from its close yesterday afternoon.