Cook Biotech "Marches In" to New Expansion

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Cook Biotech Incorporated, a pioneer in the emerging field of tissue-engineering, cuts the ribbon today to unveil a new 55,000-square-foot manufacturing, research and development facility. A ceremony beginning at 10 a.m. will kick off with music provided by the West Lafayette High School Marching Band at the company's new address, 1425 Innovation Place, located within the Purdue Research Park. The recently completed $7 million dollar expansion sits on acreage directly behind the company's original building.

The much-needed expansion for the nine-year-old company will provide laboratory, product development and office space, as well as a clean-room production floor. The facility's new clean-room manufacturing space will allow Cook Biotech to meet increased demand for the tissue-engineering technology that was discovered at Purdue University, and subsequently licensed, developed and manufactured by the company.

"This new space dramatically improves the company's ability to meet increased demand and we are very excited that so many are able to join us today to recognize this important event in Cook Biotech's history," said Mark Bleyer, president of Cook Biotech. "We are gratified by the strong interest that physicians have expressed in our medical products and now we have a state-of-the-art facility that will be capable of supporting the company's growth".

Biomaterials produced by Cook Biotech utilize the company's innovative Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) technology, a collagen biomatrix that supports remodeling of host tissue. SIS is a natural biomaterial removed from a specific portion of porcine (pig) small intestine and developed into strong, sterile, pliable sheets that provide a rich environment for cell attachment and growth. This complex structure helps guide the natural growth of new tissue and works as a scaffolding for surrounding cells that facilitate the repair of damaged tissues.

Cook's expansion and commitment to stay in the community is supported by West Lafayette Mayor Jan Mills. "The city of West Lafayette is pleased to be able to provide the tax incentives and quality of life amenities that encourage companies like Cook Biotech to remain and expand in our community. We are proud to support their continuing development of this important tissue engineering technology."

Cook Biotech is one of a relatively few companies to successfully bring to market products in the emerging field of tissue engineering. The company has received 13 Food and Drug Administration clearances for medical products, with many of these products currently being used to help patients undergoing wound care, burn management, hernia repair, urological surgery and general surgery.

"Cook Biotech's expanded facility is a welcome addition to a growing life sciences cluster at the Purdue Research Park," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president and treasurer of the Purdue Research Foundation, the entity that administers the research park. "This facility is a testament to the results that occur when Purdue's technological discoveries are developed by industry experts into companies that produce high-paying, high-skill jobs for Indiana."

Cook Biotech is located in the Purdue Research Park, which encompasses 591 acres in West Lafayette, and is home to the largest university-affiliated, state-of-the-art business incubator complex in the nation. Within the park, 104 businesses, of which 58 are high-tech, employ more than 2,200 people. The park's life sciences cluster also includes Bioanalytical Systems Inc., Endocyte Inc., SSCI Inc., MED Institute and Akina Inc.

Cook Biotech (www.cookbiotech.com), a Cook company with shared ownership by Cook Group Incorporated, Purdue Research Foundation and Clarian Health Partners, is actively developing extracellular matrix (ECM) technology and biological scaffolds for numerous medical purposes. Medical products utilizing Cook's licensed and patented ECM technology currently are marketed worldwide for use in wound management and surgical repair of soft tissues. Together with a network of medical practitioners, Cook Biotech is identifying the medical needs most compatible with ECM technology and developing products to meet these needs.

With international headquarters in Bloomington, Ind., privately held Cook (www.cookgroup.com) is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

News Media Contacts:

COOK Media Contact:
David McCarty, 812-339-2235

Cook Biotech Media Contact:
Madia Milks, 888-299-4224

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