CryoLife's BioGlue Surgical Adhesive Eliminates Need for Sutures in Experimental Coronary Bypass Surgery On Animals
This new BioGlue sutureless technique was the subject of a paper
presented by Dr. Steven R. Gundry of Loma Linda Medical Center, which
took place this morning at the 79th annual meeting of the American
Association of Thoracic Surgeons in New Orleans.
BioGlue is a protein-based surgical adhesive which the Company
has been distributing outside the United States since March 1998.
BioGlue surgical adhesive is "CE" marked for vascular and pulmonary
repair applications. In addition, the Company recently received "CE"
(product certification) mark approval for the distribution in European
markets of the new 3000 Series of BioGlue surgical adhesive (BG 3000),
which includes a pre-filled delivery system and a reusable applicator
that is easier to use and more cost-effective than the original
delivery system.
Steven G. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of
CryoLife, said, "We believe that these successful procedures performed
by Dr. Gundry could make possible sutureless reattachment of coronary
arteries in minimally invasive heart surgery in humans. We also
believe that these procedures indicate that there are numerous
potential applications for our BioGlue adhesive in a wide variety of
surgical procedures. What we have here is a win/win situation: If
these procedures are successful in humans, the patient, the physician
and the payor should all benefit because the procedure should be less
invasive, easier to perform and less expensive."
Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is the leader in the development
and commercialization of implantable living human tissues for use in
cardiovascular, vascular, and orthopaedic surgeries throughout the
United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue(R) surgical adhesive,
CE marked in the European Union for use in vascular and pulmonary
sealing and repair, is distributed throughout Europe. The Company also
manufactures CryoLife-O'Brien(R) and CryoLife-Ross(TM) stentless
porcine heart valves which are distributed within the European
Community.
Statements made in this press release which look forward in time
involve risks and uncertainties and are "forward-looking" statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Such risks and uncertainties include the risk that BioGlue
surgical adhesive will not perform in humans as it has in animals or
that unforeseen complications may arise subsequent to the application
of BioGlue surgical adhesive, the possibility that the application of
BioGlue surgical adhesive to coronary bypasses in humans could involve
unanticipated costs and greater skill levels or more invasive
procedures than currently anticipated, changes in economic cycles,
competition from other companies, changes in laws and governmental
regulations applicable to the Company and other risk factors detailed
in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including
the Company's Prospectus dated March 30, 1998, contained in its
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-46545.)
Editor's Note:
CryoLife Customer Service may be accessed by telephone:
1-800-438-8285 (U.S. and Canada)
1-770-419-3355 (International)
1-770-590-3753 (International fax)
E-mail: customerservice@cryolife.com
For additional information about the Company, visit CryoLife's
web site: http://www.cryolife.com.
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CONTACT: CryoLife Inc., Atlanta
Roy Vogeltanz, 800/438-8285