Notice of allowance for Steen Solution patent in USA

Notice of allowance for Steen Solution patent in USA

Vitrolife has received notice of allowance regarding patent in the USA for Steen
Solution™, a solution for functional testing of lungs outside the body before
transplantation. The patent contains both product and method claims, which means
that both the composition of the solution and its use will be patent protected.

Vitrolife's product Steen Solution™ is part of a new method for functional
testing of lungs outside the body which enables donated lungs to be tested
outside the body for possible use. The method thus has the possibility to
considerably increase the number of organs available for transplantation. Steen
Solution™ was developed by Professor Stig Steen and the transplantation team at
the University Hospital of Lund has implemented the method. During 2006 seven
transplantations were performed, a clinical breakthrough that makes it possible
for more organs to be available for the patients waiting for transplantation. 

The patent that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has sent a notice
of allowance for with regard to Steen Solution™ is valid until 2021. The patent
contains both product and method claims, which means that both the composition
of the solution and its use will be patent protected. Vitrolife has applied for
a patent for Steen Solution™ in all markets that are assessed to be important.
Approval has previously been obtained in Australia. Activities to obtain sales
approval in the USA are proceeding according to plan.

Approximately 2,600 lung transplantations per year are performed in the world
today. With its product Perfadex®, Vitrolife has approximately 90 percent of the
world market for lung transplantation solutions. Perfadex® is also used together
with Steen Solution™ in the new method for functional testing of lungs outside
the body. This medical breakthrough can in time lead to five to ten times as
many lung transplantations being able to be carried out, as the need for donated
organs using today's methods considerably exceeds supply.



April 19, 2007
Kungsbacka, Sweden 

Magnus Nilsson
CEO




Queries should be addressed to: 
Magnus Nilsson, CEO, phone +46 31 721 80 00 or +46 708 22 80 61.
Anna Ahlberg, CFO, phone +46 31 721 80 13 or +46 708 22 80 13.


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Vitrolife is a global biotechnology/medical device Group that works with
developing, manufacturing and selling advanced products and systems for the
preparation, cultivation and storage of human cells, tissue and organs. The
company has business activities within three product areas: Fertility,
Transplantation and Stem Cell Cultivation. The Fertility product area works with
nutrient solutions (media) and advanced one-time instruments such as needles and
pipettes, for the treatment of human infertility. The Transplantation product
area works with solutions and systems to maintain tissue in optimal condition
outside the body for the required time while waiting for transplantation. The
Stem Cell Cultivation product area works with media and instruments to enable
the use and handling of stem cells for therapeutic purposes. 
     Vitrolife today has approximately 120 employees and the company's products
are sold in more than 80 markets. The head office is in Kungsbacka, Sweden, and
there are subsidiaries outside Gothenburg, Sweden and in Denver, USA. The
Vitrolife share is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's Nordic Small Cap
list.
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Vitrolife AB (publ), Faktorvägen 13, SE-434 37 Kungsbacka, Sweden. Corporate
identity number 556354-3452.
Tel: +46 31 721 80 00. Fax: +46 31 721 80 90. E-mail: info@vitrolife.com.
Homepage: www.vitrolife.com.