History

Anika Therapeutics was founded in 1993 as a public company from a spin off of the hyaluronic acid (HA) business of MedChem Products, Inc. in a special stock dividend to its stockholders. All of the assets of MedChem's HA business, including an FDA-approved HA manufacturing facility, were transferred to Anika. Since its founding, Anika has leveraged HA technology to develop and manufacture innovative products for tissue protection, healing and repair.

Timeline of Events

1993

Anika founded as a spin off of MedChem Products, Inc. Anika signs an extension agreement with IOLAB, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, to enter into a five-year manufacturing contract for its ophthalmic product, AMVISC^®.

1994

Anika is awarded a patent for INCERT^®, designed to prevent surgical adhesions, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.

1995

Anika begins commercialization of its osteoarthritis product, ORTHOVISC^®, in Canada.
The Company signs a three-year exclusive distribution agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health for its equine osteoarthritis product, HYVISC^®.

1996

Anika receives CE Mark approval for ORTHOVISC for the treatment of osteoarthritis in humans.
Anika enters into a distribution agreement with Chiron Vision, which purchased IOLAB from Johnson & Johnson in 1995, for its ophthalmic products, AMVISC and AMVISC^® Plus.

1997

Anika completes a phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for ORTHOVISC.

1998

Anika's manufacturing operations are expanded to meet customer demand and reduce product costs through better efficiencies. The expansion quadrupled the previous capacity.

1999

Anika receives Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval by the FDA authorizing the Company to commence a phase III human trial in the U.S. for ORTHOVISC.

2000

Anika renegotiates a long-term supply contract with Bausch and Lomb, which had acquired Chiron Vision, making Anika the exclusive worldwide provider of AMVISC and AMVISC Plus.

2003

The Company establishes a marketing and distribution relationship with Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson to market ORTHOVISC in the U.S. once approved by the FDA.
Pre-clinical work for a new soft tissue filler for aesthetic dermatology is finalized.

2004

The Company receives FDA approval to market ORTHOVISC in the U.S.
Clinical trials for the Company's aesthetic dermatology product are initiated.

2005

Anika completes a U.S. pivotal clinical trial for its aesthetic dermatology product and submits a PMA for approval to market in the United States.

2006

Anika receives a unique reimbursement code for ORTHOVISC effective January 1, 2007 simplifying the reimbursement process and improving patient access.

2007

Anika receives approvals to market ELEVESS^™ in the United States, Europe and Canada.
Anika receives approval to market MONOVISC^™ in Europe.
Anika relocates its corporate facilities to expand and enhance the Company's product development and manufacturing capabilities.

2008

Anika launches ORTHOVISC mini, the first Joint Health line extension product.
A pivotal trial of MONOVISC is initiated in the United States.
Anika begins commercialization of MONOVISC in Europe.