MiMedx Issued Four New U.S. Patents For Placental Tissue Allografts

MiMedx Group, Inc.

, an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of patent-protected regenerative biomaterials and bioimplants processed from human amniotic membrane, announced today its receipt of four newly issued patents related to the Company's tissue allografts derived from the placenta. On April 22, 2014, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office awarded MiMedx U.S. Patent Numbers 8,703,206 and 8,703,207, both entitled "Placental Tissue Grafts." On April 29, 2014, the U.S. Patent Office also issued to MiMedx U.S. Patent Number 8,709,493 and U.S. Patent Number 8,709,494, both also entitled "Placental Tissue Grafts." Among other things, the four new patents further protect MiMedx's layered allografts, including AmnioFix® and EpiFix® brand allografts. "We are pleased to have been granted these four new patents, which now bring our total to 15 patents issued to MiMedx related to our allografts derived from the amniotic membrane," said Parker H. "Pete" Petit, Chairman and CEO. "Human amnion/chorion tissue is rich in cytokines and growth factors known to promote wound healing. Our patented constructs cover multi-layered allografts and processes for making them. These layered allografts are designed to effectively provide cytokines and growth factors to the treatment site. We have developed a robust scientific foundation surrounding our allografts, and it is vital that we protect it. To do so, we have been very prolific in the filing of patent applications. In addition to our 15 issued patents, we have 49 pending patent applications related to our amnion/chorion technology that have been filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office." Bill Taylor, President and COO, stated, "We have taken years and spent millions in Research & Development expenditures to complete the proprietary designs, methods and processes that preserve the critical properties of our allografts. The healing properties and other anti-inflammatory, barrier and scar formation reduction properties contained in our allografts enhance their leadership status in the market. Our science and technology will continue to reinforce MiMedx' leadership position in the production of regenerative therapies and biomaterials produced from human amniotic membrane. We are committed to continuing our aggressive focus on Research & Development and the continual protection of the intellectual property that we have created." The Company also announced that it has amended its patent infringement lawsuit recently filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Liventa Bioscience, Inc. ("Liventa"), Medline Industries, Inc. ("Medline") and Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Inc. ("MTF"), to add additional counts of infringement of MiMedx's patents. In the amendment, MiMedx asserts that Liventa (formerly known as AFCell Medical, Inc.), Medline and MTF infringe two of these newly issued MiMedx patents: 1. US 8,703,207 – Placental Tissue Grafts. 2. US 8,709,494 – Placental Tissue Grafts. Petit commented, "As we previously stated, we have responsibilities to prescribing physicians and their patients, as well as to our shareholders and employees to protect our intellectual property. This amendment to our previously filed lawsuit furthers our commitment to these responsibilities."