Expansionary Institute

Michael Zey
futurist3000@aol.com

FRANKFURT, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Germany's BioTissue Technologies AG said on Sunday that Freiburg University surgeons conducted the first ever finger-joint transplantation using a complete joint engineered by the biotech company.
BioTissue, which seeks to list on Frankfurt's Neuer Markt for growth stocks on December 1, said the operation followed the four-week reproduction of cells taken from a patient's rib cartilage and hipbone.
"With the help of a carrier substance, the joint grew in its three-dimensional form and could then be transplanted," BioTissue said in a statement.

The middle joint of the middle finger of a man's right hand was destroyed in a machine and would otherwise have become fused.

"We hope the joint will become fully capable of movement," BioTissue spokesman Martin Braendle told Reuters.

He said the operation was a decisive step in the firm's efforts in tissue engineering, the development of human tissue from samples of a patient's cells.

The Freiburg-based company, which aims to become profitable in 2003, plans to launch three products in the second half of next year for the interior of the mouth, cartilage and bone.

The two products for cartilage and bone -- BioSeed-C and BioSeed B -- are part of the process used to create the engineered finger joint.

BioTissue is selling shares worth up to 38.1 million euros in its initial public offering already under way.

The firm announced a price range of 27-34 euros for some 1.12 million shares, equivalent to a 38 percent stake. The decision to go ahead with the issue comes after a spate of IPO cancellations and postponements by Neuer Markt hopefuls.

BioTissue expects a loss before interest and tax of 6.4 million marks this year. This is set to widen to 11.4 million marks next year due to the introduction of the new products. Sales are expected to be lifted to 3.3 million marks next year from 600,000 marks ($259,100) in its current financial year.

11:12 11-26-00
Copyright 2000 Reuters Limited.  All rights reserved.  Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.  Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.