SAN DIEGO, Dec 17, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Artes Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ARTE), a medical technology company whose product ArteFill(R) is the first and only FDA-approved non-resorbable injectable dermal filler for the correction of nasolabial fold or "smile line" wrinkles, today announced its flagship product, ArteFill(R) has won the 2007 CONNECT Most Innovative New Product Award for Medical Products.

"I would like to thank all of the dedicated Artes Medical employees for their hard work and determination in helping to develop and commercialize a truly innovative and highly differentiated dermal filler for the correction of smile lines," said Christopher J. Reinhard, Executive Chairman, Artes Medical. Diane S. Goostree, President and CEO, added, "We are exceptionally honored to be the winner of this prestigious award."

ArteFill was one of three finalists in the Medical Products category. This year 93 entries in six categories were received overall. Artes Medical presented the merits of ArteFill to a panel of distinguished judges on November 9, 2007. ArteFill was announced the winner of this prestigious award at the MIP Awards Ceremony on December 14, 2007 in San Diego, California.

The CONNECT MIP Awards program has served as a benchmark for predicting the region's most successful emerging technologies. From early stage biotechnology companies; to the first products generated by the region's telecommunications boom, MIP has been an indicator of the industries and technologies that have stimulated the San Diego economy.

CONNECT is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining the growth of innovative technology and life science businesses in San Diego. Since 1985, CONNECT has assisted in the formation and development of over 1,000 companies and is widely regarded as the nation's most successful regional program linking inventors and entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success.

About ArteFill(R)

ArteFill is the first and only FDA-approved non-resorbable injectable dermal filler for the correction of wrinkles known as smile lines or nasolabial folds. The unique microspheres in ArteFill are not absorbed by the body and therefore provide the first-of-its-kind permanent support for long-lasting wrinkle correction in one to two treatments.

ArteFill was approved by the FDA in October 2006 based on data from the Company's 12 month controlled, randomized, double-masked, multi-center U.S. clinical trial, which compared outcomes for patients treated with ArteFill with those of patients treated with the leading bovine collagen-based filler. At the six month evaluation, which was the primary efficacy evaluation period for the clinical trial, the wrinkle correction in patients treated with ArteFill persisted and showed statistically significant improvement compared to the wrinkle correction in the patients treated with the collagen control, who returned to their pretreatment status. The ArteFill patients were also evaluated one year after treatment, demonstrating continued safety and wrinkle correction.

An ArteFill Skin Test is required before initial treatment. The most common adverse events associated with ArteFill treatment, similar to those observed with other dermal fillers, are lumpiness, persistent swelling or redness and increased sensitivity at the injection site.

ArteFill is a proprietary formulation comprised of polymethylmethacrylate, or PMMA, microspheres and bovine collagen, and is the only PMMA-based injectable product that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Artes Medical is the sole manufacturer of ArteFill, which is only available in the United States through Artes Medical, and Artes Medical has not entered into distribution or licensing arrangements with any third party for the distribution or sale of ArteFill, or any other PMMA-based dermal filler, outside the United States.

About Artes Medical, Inc.

Artes Medical is a medical technology company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing a new category of aesthetic injectable products for the dermatology and plastic surgery markets. The Company's initial product, ArteFill(R), is being marketed to men and women as a treatment option for the correction of nasolabial folds. Additional information about Artes Medical and ArteFill is available at www.artesmedical.com and www.artefill.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to its management. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. As a result of these risks, uncertainties and other factors, which include the Company's history of net losses, its reliance on its sole FDA-approved product, ArteFill, its limited experience in commercializing ArteFill, its ability to receive FDA approval to claim that the aesthetic benefits of ArteFill extend beyond six months and delays in the market acceptance of ArteFill, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this press release. A more extensive set of risks and uncertainties is set forth in the Company's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements represent beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, even if new information becomes available in the future.

Artes Medical(R) and ArteFill(R) are registered trademarks of Artes Medical, Inc.

SOURCE: Artes Medical, Inc.