Billerica, MA -- Sep. 27th, 2001 - AST Products, Inc. has recently received patent approval (U.S. Patent No. 6,238,799) for its water based coating technology LubriLAST™. LubriLAST™ coatings provide lubricious, low-friction surfaces that greatly reduce tissue trauma during repeated insertions of a variety of medical devices.

LubriLAST™ provides a unique alternative to the lubricious coatings currently available for medical applications. The formulation is completely water based; that is, it does not contain any organic solvents. It also does not require UV light for curing. Applied by a simple and robust dip-coating process, the coating is comprised of a hydrophilic polymer entwined in supporting polymeric network that undergoes a crosslinking reaction to form a durable hydrogel coating. It is then fully cured under low temperature drying conditions. "The simple application process of LubriLAST™ is particularly beneficial for any device that is composed of light, heat, or solvent sensitive materials. It is also a cost-effective coating technology since no solvent handling or explosion proof equipment is required and disposal costs of unused coatings solutions are minimal due to its non-toxic nature", commented Dr. Ih-Houng Loh, AST's VP of Business Development.

LubriLAST™ is available to medical device manufacturers through licensing arrangements with technology transfer and contract coating options. According to Suzanne Conroy, Coatings Group Manager at AST Products, LubriLAST™ has already been licensed to several medical device companies with more agreements under development. Examples of LubriLAST™ coated products distributed worldwide include cardiovascular catheters, intraocular lens injectors, neurovascular catheters, and catheters for urological applications.

LubriLAST™ is a flexible technology that can be customized to incorporate anti-microbial, anti-thrombogenic and other therapeutic agents as well as lubricious polymers. Almost all polymers, metals and ceramic materials used in medical devices can be coated.

AST Products, Inc. is a leader in coatings and surface modification technology for biomedical and industrial applications. It provides integrated surface solutions through coatings technology, processing equipment & services and surface analysis instruments. AST licenses its coating technologies on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis with technology transfer and contract coating options are available to licensees.

Billerica, MA -- Sep. 10th, 2001 - AST Products Inc. recently received notice of a Phase I, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant award from that National Institute of Health (NIH) to support its work in the development of a controlled release antimicrobial coating. The project titled "Reducing Infection in Indwelling Medical Devices" further develops data that shows that the controlled ion release of anti-septic agents provides long term protection against bacterial colonization and subsequent device related infections.

Earlier development efforts at AST have shown that the coating prevents colonization for up to four weeks against gram negative bacteria, gram positive bacteria, and fungi. These bacterial adhesion studies as well as zone of inhibition tests implicate a controlled release mechanism. The SBIR project will help to define accurately the mode of action and thereby help AST to optimize the coating for a variety of medical device applications.

AST Products, Inc. is a leader in coatings and surface modification technology for biomedical and industrial applications. It provides integrated surface solutions through coatings technology, processing equipment & services and surface analysis instruments. AST licenses its coating technologies on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis with technology transfer and contract coating options are available to licensees.

Billerica, MA -- May 29th, 2001 - AST Products announced today the signing of an agreement with Hunter Urology Ltd, a specialist urology company based in the United Kingdom. AST has made an equity investment in Hunter Urology, which will manufacture and market urology products for intermittent self-catheterization. Part of the agreement includes a worldwide exclusive licensing arrangement for urinary ISC catheters coated with AST's lubricious and anti-microbial coating, LubriLAST™-K. A lubricious coating is advantageous in ISC, as it facilitates ease of insertion while an anti-microbial coating will minimize the occurrence of urinary tract infections commonly associated with self-catheterization.

The urinary catheters will be used in both the homecare and Hospital markets. AST's VP of Business Development, Dr. Ih-Houng Loh said, "Our partnership with Hunter Urology will be mutually beneficial, and will bring new innovation to the ISC market, caring for both patients' and clinicians' needs."

Initial introduction of the new Hunter Urology coated catheter is anticipated in 2001 in Europe, with introduction to the US market expected in 2002. Hunter Urology's ISC catheter has been submitted for CE Mark approval in Europe, and will be submitted for 510K approval in the US.

About LubriLAST™
LubriLAST™ is a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based hydrogel coating that can provide lubricity and hydrophilicity to a variety of invasive and extracorporeal medical products. LubriLAST™ is a flexible technology that incorporates various biologically active ingredients such as anti-microbial agents, anti-coagulants, and controlled release pharmaceuticals. All commonly used biomaterials, including polymers, metals, and ceramics can be coated. Devices that benefit from LubriLAST™'s exceptional slip, biocompatibility and durability include other types of catheters, guidewires, stents and a variety of surgical instruments & diagnostic devices materials. LubriLAST™ coated devices that have regulatory approval include IOL injectors, PTA catheters and microcatheters used in neurovascular applications. A number of other devices used in Cardiology, Neurology and Urology are pending approval.

About AST Products, Inc.:
AST is a leader in coatings and surface modification technology for biomedical and industrial applications. AST provides integrated surface solutions through coatings technology, processing equipment & services and surface analysis instruments. For more information about AST Products, please visit their website at www.astpadvance.com.

About Hunter Urology Ltd.:
Hunter Urology, launched in 2001, is committed to bringing back that element of personal service to the urology market. Caring for patients' needs is the core philosophy, and will be reflected throughout the company's strategy. Concentrating solely on Intermittent Self-Catheterization (ISC), Hunter Urology will be introducing products that incorporate new and future technologies, focusing on patient needs whilst ensuring cost benefits to the clinician.

Billerica, MA -- January 30, 2001 - AST Products, Inc.'s LubriLAST™ coating technology has been licensed to Endovasix for use with their EPAR™ fiber optic catheter. The coating will provide improved maneuverability and reduced tissue damage through the small vasculature of the brain.

LubriLAST™ is a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based hydrogel coating that can provide lubricity and hydrophilicity to a wide variety of invasive and extracorporeal medical products. In addition to neurological catheters, devices that benefit from LubriLAST™'s exceptional slip, biocompatibility and durability include cardiac and urinary catheters, guidewires, shunts, stents and a variety of surgical instruments.

Non-solvent Process
LubriLAST™, because it does not require UV light cure and is not a solvent-based process, is particularly beneficial for any device that utilizes either light-sensitive or solvent-sensitive materials. Additionally, the application process is simple and robust.

A Broad Range of Coating Technologies LubriLAST™ is a flexible technology that can be customized to include various agents such as anti-microbial, heparin and other drugs in a controlled-release system. Almost all polymers used in medical devices can be coated effectively, as well as most metals and ceramic materials. In addition to LubriLAST™, AST has developed and commercialized other coatings - HydroLAST™ for wettability/hydrophilicity, BioPhilic™ for reduced protein and cell adhesion and ParyLAST™ for dry lubricity and chemical resistance.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST's Medical Coatings business is focused on providing solutions for surface challenges. AST licenses LubriLAST™ on both an exclusive and non-exclusive basis. Both the technology transfer and contract coating options are available to licensees. In addition to licensing technology such as LubriLAST™, AST's technical staff works with customers to design customized surface treatments.

AST is a leader in coatings and surface modification technology for biomedical and industrial applications. An ISO 9001-registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solutions through coatings technology, processing equipment & services and surface analysis instruments. For more information about AST Products, please visit their website at www.astpadvance.com.