VCEL Vericel Corporation

Aastrom & Moll Sign Five-Year Agreement DALLAS, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Moll Industries, Inc., a medical devices and components supplier, announced a five-year agreement was reached with Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTM) in first quarter 2004 continuing Moll as sole manufacturer of assembled Cell Cassettes for the AastromReplicell(R) System, a patented, integrated system of instrumentation and single-use disposables clinically proven to produce therapeutic stem and progenitor cell mixtures from sources such as patient bone marrow. Moll supplies highly complex comprehensive services to Aastrom, providing complete single-use final assemblies, which are comprised of approximately 165 parts that Moll either molds or procures. Moll also manages sterilization, regularly measures bioburden contamination levels, handles quarterly dose audits according to AAMI technical requirements and provides the FDA with certifications for Cassettes manufactured in Moll's state-of-the-art Class 10,000 Clean Room facilities in North Carolina. The new contract represents a renewed commitment that extends appointment of Moll as Aastrom's preferred supplier since 1996. "Moll has been an exceptional choice as our partner, supplying expertise in manufacturing and supply chain management, and providing great value and ability. Our alliance lets each company do what we do best -- Moll makes Cell Cassettes for us, and Aastrom focuses on its central mission of delivering proprietary bone marrow stem cell products for the regenerative repair of damaged human tissue," said Brian Hampson, Aastrom's Vice President-Product Development. Commenting on developments, Moll President Ron Embree stated, "We are proud to support Aastrom, and to be actively involved in making products that advance the health of mankind." Aastrom Biosciences, Inc. is currently engaged in clinical trials both in the U.S. and Europe and markets the AastromReplicell System. For more information, visit Aastrom's website at http://www.aastrom.com/ . Moll Industries, Inc. is a full-service contract manufacturer of custom injection plastic molding. The company possesses extensive experience manufacturing Class 1, 2, & 3 Medical Device components and assemblies in conjunction with Validation & Verification studies, IQ-OQ-PQ protocols and requirements found in GMP 21 CFR - Part 820. Moll's operations also include Plasma Treatment and EMABOND(R) processes that augment core production technologies of value-added assembly, two-shot, insert molding, post mold decorating and over molding. For more information, visit Moll's website at http://www.mollindustries.com/ . DATASOURCE: Moll Industries, Inc. CONTACT: Dana Gecker of Moll Industries, Inc., +1-972-663-6909, or Web site: http://www.mollindustries.com/ http://www.aastrom.com/

Copyright