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Mentor Executes Agreement with Genzyme to Partner on Future Development and Commercialization of Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

31 Oct 2006

Announced that it has entered into a commercialization agreement with Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq:GENZ) under which Genzyme will develop future hyaluronic acid (“HA”) dermal filler products. T

SANTA BARBARA, CA, USA | Oct 30, 2006 | Mentor Corporation (NYSE:MNT), a leading supplier of medical products for the global

aesthetic medicine market, today announced that it has entered into a commercialization agreement with Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq:GENZ) under which Genzyme will develop future hyaluronic acid (“HA”) dermal filler products. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Genzyme is the world leader in the development and manufacturing of HA products,” commented Joshua H. Levine, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mentor Corporation. “We are excited to partner with them and secure their expertise in developing a robust pipeline of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.”

The first product launch under the agreement is scheduled to occur internationally in early 2007, with a worldwide launch of an additional product in late 2007. Additionally, under the Commercialization agreement, Genzyme and Mentor will join resources to develop a next-generation, longer-lasting HA dermal filler. With Genzyme’s extensive history in HA development and manufacturing, Mentor has created a partnership that will allow its facial aesthetics pipeline to expand significantly. All of the products will be introduced into Mentor’s current distribution network, maximizing the revenue opportunity.

The agreement will create growth synergies for Mentor’s existing PuragenTM and Puragen PlusTM products, as they are complementary with both the current Genzyme offering and future products under development. Mentor has submitted the first module of its modular Pre-Market Approval application for Puragen Plus to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is expecting to complete the submission in 2007.

About Mentor Corporation

Mentor is a leading supplier of medical products for the global aesthetic medicine market. The Company develops, manufactures and markets innovative, science-based products for surgical and non-surgical medical procedures that allow patients to retain a more youthful appearance and improve the quality of life. The Company’s website is www.mentorcorp.com.

About Genzyme

One of the world's leading biotechnology companies, Genzyme is dedicated to making a major positive impact on the lives of people with serious diseases. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Genzyme’s founding. Since 1981, the company has grown from a small start-up to a diversified enterprise with more than 8,500 employees in locations spanning the globe and 2005 revenues of $2.7 billion. Genzyme has been selected by FORTUNE as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work for” in the United States.

With many established products and services helping patients in more than 80 countries, Genzyme is a leader in the effort to develop and apply the most advanced technologies in the life sciences. The company's products and services are focused on rare inherited disorders, kidney disease, orthopedics, cancer, transplant and immune diseases, and diagnostic testing. Genzyme's commitment to innovation continues today with a substantial development program focused on these fields, as well as heart disease and other areas of unmet medical need.

Safe Harbor Statement

All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by us. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to those statements related to anticipated product launch dates, anticipated beneficial synergies with Puragen and Puragen Plus, and anticipated submission dates for our PMA application. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," “provide,” "potential," "continue," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based upon the information available to us at this time. Such information is subject to change, and we will not necessarily inform you of such changes. These statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among other things, risks associated with the exposure to product liability claims or product recalls; challenges related to developing and commercializing new technologies and products; challenges related to effective competition; the potential for negative publicity related to our products; and challenges related to future acquisitions of companies, businesses or technologies.

In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Mentor, including, without limitation, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and recent Current reports on Form 8-K, further discuss these and other important risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Mentor undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.

SOURCE: Mentor Corporation

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