Update on clinical study evaluating the quality of new bone generated following the use of Inion OptimaPLUS™

Tampere, Finland and Guildford, UK. 30 April 2008, Inion (LSE: IIN.L), a company focused on the development and commercialisation of novel biodegradable medical implants, provides an update regarding the second clinical proof of principle study with Inion OptimaPLUS™. The study was designed to evaluate the quality of new bone generated following a dental implant surgical procedure and compares Inion OptimaPLUS™ with a market-leading, non-biodegradable competitor product (GORE-TEX® Regenerative Membrane Titanium Reinforced).

At this second interim stage, a statistically significant difference in bioactivity was not observed when comparing the Inion OptimaPLUS™ membrane with the GORE-TEX® membrane, as measured by the primary endpoint (defect height) or secondary endpoints (histopathology, defect depth, width and horizontal thickness) of the trial.

On the basis of the results seen in the 31 patients completed to date, a statistically significant difference between the GORE-TEX® and Inion membrane is unlikely to be observed on completion of the trial. However, completion of the trial is likely to provide support for the claim that there is no difference in bone growth between the Inion OptimaPLUS™ membrane and the GORE-TEX® membrane in relation to the primary and secondary endpoints.

These interim results are from the first 31 patients (of a total of 40 recruited) to have completed the six-month clinical follow-up period. All of the remaining patients will have undergone the procedure by May 2008 and the study will be completed by the end of 2008, with the final report due in early 2009.

Chris Lee, CEO of Inion, said: “So far in this trial, Inion OptimaPLUS™ has performed as well as the GORE-TEX® membrane in supporting new bone growth around dental implants, however, we have not seen evidence of bioactivity in this trial. Despite this, we still believe that by completing the trial we will be able to add to the product a claim that there is no difference in bone growth when compared to the GORE-TEX® membrane with the added benefit that the Inion OptimaPLUS™ membrane does not need to be removed with a further invasive procedure. Preclinical studies have shown that NMP[1] has the ability to accelerate bone growth, which, if it can be replicated in an appropriate human model, will add further value to the programme.

“Inion remains clearly focused on executing its international commercial strategy centred on products targeting the spinal surgery and orthopaedic trauma segments and therefore may seek to divest or search for a strategic partner for the NMP programme and patent portfolio. Our ability to expand and grow our Inion Optima platform technology is unaffected by the outcome of this trial.”

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For further information, please contact:

Inion Oy
Chris Lee, Chief Executive Officer
Julien Cotta, Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +44 (0)1483 685390

Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Mark Swallow / David Dible

Tel: +44 (0)207 638 9571

About Inion (www.inion.com)

Inion Oy is a medical devices company focused on the development and successful commercialisation of innovative and unique biodegradable and bioactive surgical implants in selected high value orthopaedic market segments.

Inion's core expertise and technology lies in the design and manufacture of innovative biodegradable plates, screws, pins and membranes, which are used to enhance the healing of bone or soft tissue injuries to the skeleton, such as those caused by trauma or by reconstructive surgery. Inion implants are made from its proprietary Inion Optima™ family of biomaterials, with properties tailored for specific surgical applications, in terms of strength, flexibility and rate of degradation

Inion is also focused on developing proprietary new bioactive and biodegradable biomaterials that promote bone healing and accelerate patient rehabilitation.

Inion was incorporated in early 2000 and listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority in December 2004 (ticker: IIN). The Company has offices in the UK and USA, and its head office, R&D and production facilities are in Tampere, Finland.

This announcement includes "forward-looking statements" which include all statements other than statements of historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding the Group's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Group's products), and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include forward-looking terminology such as the words "targets", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "can", "may", "anticipates", "would", "should", "could" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the Group's control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Group's present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Group will operate in the future. Among the important factors that could cause the Group's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those relating to Inion's funding requirements, regulatory approvals, reliance on third parties, intellectual property, key personnel and other factors. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statement.

[1] NMP – N-methyl-pyrrolidone is the active ingredient in Inion OptimaPLUS™

08_INI_08 Bone Quality FINAL.pdf (26.64 kilobytes)

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