AKI Arthro Kinetics

RNS Number:3091E
Arthro Kinetics plc
24 September 2007


Press Release


CaReS(R) selected for publicly funded Japanese research programme to investigate
                     safety and efficacy in osteoarthritis


MONDAY, 24th September 2007 - Arthro Kinetics plc (AIM: AKI) ("Arthro Kinetics"
or "the Company"), the orthopedics company dedicated to regenerating joint
mobility and spinal disc function, announces that its Japanese partner, Polaris
Rx Corporation, Tokyo ("Polaris") has initiated a research collaboration with
the Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation located in Kobe, Japan
("Foundation") and Kobe University medical school to investigate the safety and
efficacy of CaReS(R) in osteoarthritis.

The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has
recently awarded a five-year multi-million dollar grant to the Foundation to
support the advancement of cutting edge medicinal technologies in the field of
regenerative medicine. As part of this grant, CaReS(R) has been selected for
human clinical studies in the indication of osteoarthritis and up to JPY 75
million (Euro460k) will be allocated to this programme.

The clinical investigation of CaReS(R) for osteoarthritis will be carried out by
the Foundation, Kobe University Medical School and PolarisRx Corporation. Animal
model studies will be initiated later this year, followed by an
investigator-driven human clinical study in 2008. This will be the first
controlled clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of autologous
chondrocyte implantation in osteoarthritis. According to the World Health
Organization's Global Burden of Disease statistics, osteoarthritis is one of the
top ten diseases in the category of Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY). In
Japan, it is believed that there are more than 500,000 patients suffering from
this chronic disease and the number of patients is increasing rapidly due to an
aging society.

Jason Loveridge, CEO of Arthro Kinetics commented:

"This as an excellent start to the collaboration with Polaris and a further
validation of the global potential of CaReS(R).  We look forward to the
initiation of this study broadening our business in Japan."

Dr. Yasuhiro Endo, CEO of PolarisRx, commented:

"We are delighted that through our collaboration with Arthro Kinetics we have
the opportunity to work with the Foundation for Biomedical Research and
Innovation and Kobe University to further explore the potential of CaReS(R) in
this important disease and are looking forward to making a contribution towards
the improvement of the quality of life for osteoarthritis suffers."

CONTACTS

Arthro Kinetics Plc                                   Tel: +49 (0)711 305 110 70
Jason Loveridge, Chief Executive Officer
Doug Quinn, Chief Financial Officer

Nomura Code Securities Limited                          Tel: +44 (0)207 776 1200
Richard Potts
Clare Terlouw

END



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