ORTHOVISC(R) Clinical Study Commenced To Expand Usage

Anika Therapeutics,
Inc. (Nasdaq: ANIK) today announced that, together with its partner, DePuy
Mitek, they have initiated a clinical study designed to evaluate the safety
and effectiveness of ORTHOVISC(R) to treat pain caused by osteoarthritis
(OA) in the shoulder joint. Treatment of subjects has begun in this
blinded, randomized, multi-center clinical study. Patient enrollment is
expected to be completed by the end of 2007.


"Our plan for ORTHOVISC in the next few years incorporates several
important clinical studies," said Anika President and Chief Executive
Officer Charles H. Sherwood, Ph.D. "Initiating this ORTHOVISC study with
DePuy Mitek as a treatment for OA of the shoulder is an important part of
this plan."



ORTHOVISC, with a 30 mg dose of hyaluronic acid (HA), contains the
highest available concentration of HA, which may offer improved pain relief
at early, mid and late time points with only three injections. In addition
to its effectiveness, no pseudoseptic reactions have been reported in more
than one million injections of ORTHOVISC.



About Anika Therapeutics, Inc.



Headquartered in Woburn, Mass., Anika Therapeutics, Inc.
(anikatherapeutics) develops, manufactures and commercializes
therapeutic products for tissue protection, healing and repair. These
products are based on hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring,
biocompatible polymer found throughout the body. Anika products include
ORTHOVISC(R), a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee available
internationally and marketed in the U.S. by DePuy Mitek, and Hyvisc(R), a
treatment for equine osteoarthritis marketed in the U.S. by Boehringer
Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Anika manufactures Amvisc(TM) and Amvisc
Plus(TM), HA viscoelastic products for ophthalmic surgery. It also produces
STAARVISC(TM)-II, which is distributed by STAAR Surgical company and
Shellgel(TM) for Cytosol Ophthalmics, Inc.



The statements made in this press release which are not statements of
historical fact are forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, including, without limitation, statements that may be
identified by words such as "expectations," "remains," "focus," "expected,"
"initiated," "prospective," "expanding," "building," "continue,"
"progress," "efforts," "hope," "believe," "objectives," "opportunities,"
"will," "seek," and other expressions which are predictions of or indicate
future events and trends and which do not constitute historical matters
identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those
regarding the protocol for the Company's clinical trial and the Company's
goal of expanding its product offerings. The Company's actual results could
differ materially from any anticipated future results, performance or
achievements described in the forward-looking statements as a result of a
number of factors including the Company's ability to successfully commence
and/or complete clinical trials of its products on a timely basis or at
all. Certain other factors that might cause the Company's actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include
those set forth under the headings "Business," "Risk Factors and Certain
Factors Affecting Future Operating Results" and "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in each of
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2005, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
2006, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as those described in the
Company's other press releases and SEC filings. The Company expressly
disclaims any current intention or obligation to update any forward-looking
statement in this press release to reflect future events or changes in
facts affecting the forward-looking statements contained in this press
release.


Anika Therapeutics, Inc.

anikatherapeutics/