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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-03-029207.txt : 20031224
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-03-029207.hdr.sgml : 20031224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031224093402
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-03-029207
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031222
ITEM INFORMATION:		Other events
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial statements and exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031224

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ANIKA THERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000898437
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTS (NO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES) [2836]
		IRS NUMBER:				043145961
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14027
		FILM NUMBER:		031072783

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		236 WEST CUMMINGS PARK
		CITY:			WOBURN
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01801
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6179326616

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		236 WEST CUMMINGS PARK
		CITY:			WOBURN
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01801

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ANIKA RESEARCH INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930309
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a03-6531_28k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
<TEXT>
<html>

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</div>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED
STATES<br>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></b></h1>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center">

</font></div>


<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">FORM 8-K</font></b></h1>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">CURRENT
REPORT</font></b></h1>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE<br>
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></h1>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


<div align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="1" width="25%" noshade color="black" align="center">

</font></div>


<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">December
22, 2003</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Anika
Therapeutics,&nbsp;Inc.</font></b></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<div align="center">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.88%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Massachusetts</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.94%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">000-21326</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.9%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">04-3145961</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.88%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other Jurisdiction of<br>
  Incorporation)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.94%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File<br>
  Number)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.9%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.88%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.94%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.9%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="64%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:64.46%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">160 New Boston Street, Woburn,
  Massachusetts</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.9%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">01801</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="64%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:64.46%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.9%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h1 style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:0pt;">Registrant&#146;s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: </font></b><font style="letter-spacing:0pt;">(781)&nbsp;932-6616</font></h1>

<div style="border:none;border-bottom:double windowtext 9.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;">

<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;padding:0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

</div>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="2" width="100%" noshade color="gray" align="left">

</font></div>

<font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
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</font>

<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 5:&#160;
Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On December 22, 2003, Anika Therapeutics, Inc. issued a press release
(&#147;Press Release&#148;) announcing the signing of an exclusive, multi-year U.S.
licensing and supply agreement with Ortho Biotech Products, L.P., a subsidiary
of Johnson &amp; Johnson, for Anika&#146;s ORTHOVISC</font><font face="Symbol" style="font-family:Symbol;">&#210;</font>
osteoarthritis product.&nbsp; A copy of the Press Release is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 7:&#160;
Financial Statements, <i><font style="font-style:italic;">Pro Forma</font></i>
Financial Information and Exhibits.</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font><font size="1" style="font-size:8.5pt;">&#160; </font>Exhibits</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="95%" style="border-collapse:collapse;margin-left:.2in;width:95.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="12%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:12.5%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit
  No.</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.74%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:80.76%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="12%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:12.5%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.74%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="80%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:80.76%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release issued by Anika Therapeutics, Inc. on December 22, 2003</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>


<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">

<hr size="2" width="100%" noshade color="gray" align="left">

</font></div>

<font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">
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</font>

<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="left" style="letter-spacing:-.1pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.74%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;text-transform:uppercase;">Anika Therapeutics, Inc.</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="53%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:53.74%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.48%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">December 24, 2003</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.48%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="29%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:29.02%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/ William J. Knight</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="18%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:18.24%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.48%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.26%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">William J. Knight</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
  <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:46.26%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="6%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:6.48%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="47%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:47.26%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Chief Financial Officer</font></i></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>


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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit
Index</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.25in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
 <tr>
  <td width="13%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:13.1%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit
  No.</font></b></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.84%;">
  <p align="center" style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="84%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:84.06%;">
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>
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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.84%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="84%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:84.06%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press Release of Anika Therapeutics, Inc. dated December 22, 2003</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
</table>

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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4</font></p>


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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit
99.1</font></b></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<h4 align="left" style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.15pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;text-align:left;text-decoration:underline;"><b><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</font></u></b></h4>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
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  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.38%;">
  <p align="left" style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Contacts:</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.64%;">
  <p align="left" style="font-size:1.0pt;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="65%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:65.96%;">
  <p align="left" style="font-size:1.0pt;line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:left;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.38%;">
  <h3 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.15pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">Anika
  Therapeutics, Inc.</font></b></h3>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.64%;">
  <h3 style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.15pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;">&nbsp;</h3>
  </td>
  <td width="65%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:65.96%;">
  <h3 style="font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:-.15pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;page-break-after:auto;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;letter-spacing:0pt;">Pondel/Wilkinson
  Klein</font></b></h3>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Charles
  Sherwood, Ph.D., CEO</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
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  <td width="65%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:65.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Susan
  Klein (508) 358-4315</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">William Knight, CFO</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="65%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:65.96%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Rob Whetstone (323)
  866-6050</font></p>
  </td>
 </tr>
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  <td width="30%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:30.38%;">
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(781)
  932-6616</font></p>
  </td>
  <td width="3%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:3.64%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
  <td width="65%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:65.96%;">
  <p style="font-size:1.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
  </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ANIKA THERAPEUTICS ANNOUNCES
U.S. ORTHOVISC<sup>&#174;</sup> LICENSE AND SUPPLY<br>
AGREEMENT WITH ORTHO BIOTECH PRODUCTS, L.P.</font></b></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">WOBURN, MA &#150; December 22, 2003 &#150; Anika Therapeutics,
Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIK) today announced the signing of an exclusive, multi-year U.S.
licensing and supply agreement with Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. for Anika&#146;s
ORTHOVISC<sup>&#174;</sup>, a highly purified, high molecular weight form of
hyaluronic acid for treating pain in patients suffering from osteoarthritis of
the knee.</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under the agreement, Anika will receive an initial
payment of $2 million and payments upon receipt of final marketing approval for
ORTHOVISC from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other
milestones.&#160; Earlier this month, Anika
announced that it had received a letter from the FDA stating that an approval
order will be issued for ORTHOVISC subject to a successful inspection of
Anika&#146;s manufacturing facility.&#160; In
addition, Ortho Biotech will fund post-marketing clinical trials for ORTHOVISC
and development of future products based on Anika&#146;s proprietary viscosupplementation
technology.&#160; The agreement covers the
U.S. and Mexico.&#160; The effectiveness of
certain of the license provisions under the agreement may be subject to
customary regulatory approvals, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Anika Chief Executive Officer Charles H. Sherwood,
Ph.D., said Anika selected Ortho Biotech as its U.S. marketing partner for
ORTHOVISC due to its outstanding reputation for high quality products and
customer service.&#160; &#147;Ortho Biotech is
known for its strategy aimed at becoming a leader in the markets it chooses to
address.&#160; We believe the company is an
excellent partner for driving ORTHOVISC sales and penetrating the U.S. market
for viscosupplementation.&#148;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Designed
to relieve pain and stiffness and improve joint mobility, ORTHOVISC has been
marketed outside of the United States since 1996.&#160; It is currently sold in Canada and various European and Middle
Eastern nations.&#160; The U.S. market for
viscosupplementation products is growing, with more than 10 million Americans
suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(more)</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>


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<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">&nbsp;</p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About Ortho
Biotech Products, L.P.</font></b><strong><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">  </font></b></strong><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">www.orthobiotech.com<b><font style="font-weight:bold;">)</font></b></font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In
1990, Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. was established in Raritan, N.J., as the
first biotechnology subsidiary of Johnson &amp; Johnson.&#160; Since that time, Ortho Biotech and its
worldwide affiliates have earned a global reputation for researching,
manufacturing and marketing innovative health care products that extend and
enhance the quality of patients&#146; lives. Ortho Biotech, the established market
leader in Epoetin alfa therapy for anemia management across multiple
indications, focuses its research and marketing efforts in four clinical areas:
oncology, nephrology, immunology and critical care/surgery.</font></p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">About Anika Therapeutics, Inc. </font></b>(www.anikatherapeutics.com)</p>

<p style="line-height:normal;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Headquartered
in Woburn, Mass., Anika Therapeutics, Inc. develops, manufactures and
commercializes therapeutic products and devices intended to promote the repair,
protection and healing of bone, cartilage and soft tissue.&#160; These products are based on hyaluronic acid
(HA), a naturally occurring, biocompatible polymer found throughout the
body.&#160; In addition to ORTHOVISC<sup>&#174;</sup>,
a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee (not approved for sale in the U.S.),
Anika markets HYVISC<sup>&#174;</sup> in the U.S. for the treatment of equine
osteoarthritis through Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. and manufactures
AMVISC<sup>&#174;</sup> and AMVISC<sup>&#174;</sup> Plus, HA viscoelastic products for
ophthalmic surgery, for Bausch &amp; Lomb.&#160;
It also produces CoEase<sup>TM</sup>, which is marketed by Advanced
Medical Optics, Inc., STAARVISC<sup>TM</sup>-II distributed by STAAR Surgical
Company and Shellgel<sup>TM</sup> for Cytosol Ophthalmics, Inc.</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">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 &#147;expectations,&#148; &#147;remains,&#148; &#147;focus,&#148; &#147;expected,&#148;
&#147;prospective,&#148; &#147;expanding,&#148; &#147;building,&#148; &#147;continue,&#148; &#147;progress,&#148; &#147;efforts,&#148;
&#147;hope,&#148; &#147;believe,&#148; &#147;objectives,&#148; opportunities,&#148; &#147;will,&#148; &#147;seek,&#148; and other
expressions which are predictions of or indicate future events and trends and
which do not constitute historical matters identify forward-looking
statements.&#160; The statements are based
upon the current beliefs and expectations of management and are subject to
significant risks and uncertainties.&#160; The
Company&#146;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:&#160; the results of its research and development
efforts and timing of regulatory approvals; approval and commercialization of
the Company&#146;s products, and, with respect to Orthovisc, risks relating to the
ability of the Company to successfully address the requests of the FDA in the
approvable letter and the timing of the Company&#146;s efforts to do so, as well as
the timing of any approved order; and that the Company&#146;s&#160; new licensing and supply arrangements will
not result in meaningful sales or will be terminated at an earlier date in
accordance with its terms or that any of the milestones contained in the
Company&#146;s new licensing and supply agreements will be achieved.&#160; There can be no assurances that the
Company&#146;s increased unit sales will materially increase product revenue or
improve gross margins.&#160; Certain other
factors that might cause the Company&#146;s actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements include those set forth under the
headings &#147;Business,&#148; &#147;Risk Factors and Certain Factors Affecting Future
Operating Results&#148; and &#147;Management&#146;s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations&#148; in each of the Company&#146;s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, its Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 and Current Reports on Form 8-K,
as well as those described in the Company&#146;s other press releases and SEC
filings.</font></i></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">#&#160; #&#160; #</font></i></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>

<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>


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