SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: March 22, 2000
BIORA AB
SE-205 12 Malmo, Sweden
Telephone: (011) 46-40-32-13-33
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant files or will
file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
|X| Form 20-F |_| Form 40-F
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the
information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|_| Yes |X| No
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to
the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
Not applicable.
This Form 6-K consists of a press release issued by Biora AB on
March 22, 2000 relating to results from preclinical studies of the
company's product Emdogain(R).
PRESIDENT AND CEO INVESTOR RELATIONS U.S INVESTOR RELATIONS
TOMAS HAMMARGREN MIKAEL SJOBLOM ELISABETH LAVERS
+46 40 32 13 36 +46 706 62 28 70 +1 203 977 7797
http://www.biora.com
BIORA'S PRECLINICAL STUDIES SHOW THAT THE COMPANY'S MAIN PRODUCT,
EMDOGAIN(R), INDUCES CELL DEATH IN HUMAN CANCER CELLS
MALMO, SWEDEN, MARCH 22, 2000 - BIORA AB (NASDAQ: BIORY, SSE: BIOR) today
during an Investor's Day in Stockholm reported that the company's main
product, Emdogain(R), induces programmed cell death in cultured human
carcinoma cells.
The finding is supported by the knowledge about Emdogain's mechanism of
action that Biora has previously reported, whereby it was shown that
Emdogain promotes growth of attached connective tissue cells while many
types of epithelial cells are inhibited and celldeath occurs. Stina
Gestrelius, Vice President of Research & Development, reported that Biora
has applied for patent protection for the use of enamel matrix-derived
polypeptides for induction of programmed cell death.
Additional Research Projects
Stina Gestrelius also presented another four Biora BioEx projects to pursue
the development of enamel matrix derivatives outside the oral cavity. These
four projects which are all in the pre-clinical or early clinical phases,
include:
o healing of chronic wounds
o improving graft integration
o local bone formation
o improving implant healing
Newly acquired technology
Biora's medical director Lars Heijl discussed Biora's newly acquired
technology; a therapeutic for dry mouth (xerostomia). According to the
present project plan Biora estimates that an application for regulatory
approval can be submitted during the second quarter of 2003.
Marketing
The important work to build up a global, specialized dental marketing
organisation for Emdogain to market the approved indication for surgical
treatment of periodontal disease continues. The product is sold via wholly
owned subsidiaries in the United States and in key markets in Europe. Biora
has distribution agreements in other European, North- and South American
and Asian markets.
At the Investor's Day today Donna Janson, President of Biora's subsidiary
in Biora's largest market USA, reported that the number of customer on the
American market has during the first two months 2000 increased from 56 to
60 percent of the total customer target group, 4,000 periodontists.
Customers who has bought more than once increased from 54 to 56 percent
during the same period.
Biora develops, manufactures and sells products for the treatment of
periodontal disease and for use in oral surgery. Using its proprietary
technology and expertise, Biora aims to become a world leader in
biology-based products for specialized dental therapy. Biora's American
Depository Shares are listed on the Nasdaq National Market in the US and
Biora's ordinary shares are listed on the "O-list" of the Stockholm Stock
Exchange in Sweden.
This press release may contain certain forward- looking statements that
relate to future events or future business and financial performance. Such
statements can only be predictions and the actual events or results may
differ from those discussed. The Company cautions that these statements are
subject to important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied in such forward looking
statements and are more fully discussed in periodic reports filed with
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
BIORA AB
Dated: March 22, 2000 By: /s/ Anders Agering
----------------------------
Anders Agering
Chief Financial Officer
