Exhibit 99.17
KeraVision and ARIS Sign Agreement to Offer Intacs (trademark) In Four Markets
Non-laser option for treating myopia approved April 9 by FDA
Fremont, CA (April 12, 1999) -- KeraVision, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERA), the
vision correction company, and ARIS Vision, Inc., a privately-held
refractive surgery management company, have signed an agreement to make
KeraVision's initial product, Intacs, available to ARIS's 12 vision
correction surgery centers in metropolitan Boston, Northern and
Southern California, and Salt Lake City.
KeraVision's application to sell Intacs, a non-laser surgical option
for people with nearsightedness (myopia), was approved April 9 by the
Food and Drug Administration. Intacs are the first approved non-laser
surgical product in the U.S. designed especially for mild myopia, which
affects an estimated 20 million adult Americans. KeraVision's product
also is removable -- another first for the vision correction surgery
market.
ARIS National Medical Director Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, MD, said, "In clinical
studies, Intacs provided a high level of vision with minimal
discomfort, rapid recovery and, most unique -- the ability to be
removed if a patient's vision needs change with age. Removability is a
peace-of-mind benefit that only Intacs can offer."
Assil added, "The ratio of Intacs patients who can expect to achieve
not only 20/20 vision but 20/16 and even 20/12.5 will, we believe,
create excitement in the marketplace for vision correction surgery as
an attractive option to eyeglasses and contacts."
KeraVision Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx said,
"This agreement with ARIS gives Intacs a presence in four important
markets where we will be represented by high-volume, well-known
surgeons. A number of these surgeons have played leading roles in
developing Intacs, so it is gratifying that they are among the first to
bring this pioneering technology to their patients."
Assil is one of three ARIS surgeons who figured prominently in the
Intacs clinical studies. Assil, who also serves as medical director of
Sinskey Eye Institute in Santa Monica, CA, is an Intacs clinical
investigator and a member of KeraVision's surgeon training faculty.
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, MD, who has served as Intacs chief investigator
since 1986, is professor of ophthalmology and director of
keratorefractive surgery at Xxxxxx Eye Center at the University of
California at San Diego, an ARIS site. Schanzlin is also a member of
KeraVision's surgeon training faculty.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, MD, medical director of ARIS Vision Institute in
Glendale, CA, has been involved in developing the Intacs technology
since the early 1980s when he worked alongside the inventor, the late
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, OD. Over the years he has made numerous contributions,
most recently as an Intacs trainer for international surgeons.
The three surgeons will lead the Intacs training for ARIS's vision
correction surgeons.
In clinical studies, 53 percent saw better than 20/20
In the U.S. clinical trials, more than half of the nearsighted patients
saw better than 20/20 after the Intacs treatment and nearly three out
of four saw at least 20/20.
Unlike laser procedures, Intacs are designed to reshape corneal
curvature and correct myopia without cutting or removing tissue from
the optical zone, the dome-shaped "window" at the front of the eye.
Because Intacs are designed to work by adding material to the cornea
instead of cutting or removing corneal tissue, Intacs are removable --
a first in the vision correction surgery field.
ARIS Vision, Inc., founded in 1996, provides patients with solutions to
vision problems using state-of-the-art procedures and minimally
invasive refractive surgery. ARIS has united a team of leading
physicians who are able to provide patients with low risk, high benefit
procedures for vision problems that include nearsightedness,
farsightedness and astigmatism. The company's current operations are
located in California, Massachusetts, Utah, Mexico and Japan.
KeraVision, founded in 1986, is creating a new category of non-laser
vision correction products that are designed especially for mild myopia
(nearsightedness) and potentially for mild hyperopia (farsightedness).
These products offer alternatives to eyeglasses, contact lenses and
vision correction surgeries that permanently alter the eye's central
optical zone. The initial product is KeraVision Intacs for myopia,
developed from a technology platform that the company believes will
potentially treat the most common forms of vision problems.
Except for the historical information, the matters discussed in this
news release are forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ
materially due to a variety of factors, including significant
unforeseen delays in the regulatory approval process, market acceptance
of KeraVision Intacs, changes in regulatory review guidelines,
procedures, regulations or administrative interpretations,
complications relating to KeraVision Intacs or the surgical procedure,
competitive products and technology, and other risk factors described
under the heading "Risk Factors Affecting the Company, Its Business and
Its Stock Price" set forth in the company's Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, as well as in other SEC filings.
For further information:
Investors: Xxxx Xxxxxxx-Colbrie (000) 000-0000
Media: Xxxx Xxxxxx (000) 000-0000
KeraVision, Inc.
00000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
xxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
"Fax on Demand"
(000) 000-0000
Intacs are a registered
trademark or trademark
of KeraVision, Inc.
