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Nature of Business
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Nature of Business
1.             Nature of Business

Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Anika,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) 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. Due to its unique biophysical and biochemical properties, HA plays an important role in a number of physiological functions such as the protection and lubrication of soft tissues and joints, the maintenance of the structural integrity of tissues, and the transport of molecules to and within cells.

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the biotechnology and medical device industries including, but not limited to, development by the Company or its competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, protection of proprietary technology, commercialization of existing and new products, and compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) government regulations and approval requirements as well as the ability to grow the Company’s business.