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FINAL PROSPECTUS DATED 08/12/1999
Patents and Proprietary Rights
One of KeraVision's primary strategies has been to develop a strong
proprietary patent position with respect to Intacs technology. As of June 30,
1999, KeraVision had 141 pending patent applications worldwide and had been
awarded 25 United States patents and 51 foreign patents. These issued patents
and pending patent applications cover various aspects of Intacs technology,
including Intacs corneal ring segments, methods of use, instruments and related
materials, as well as other vision correction technologies. The expiration
dates of the United States issued patents range from 2002 to 2016. KeraVision's
policy is to protect its technology by, among other things, filing patent
applications relating to important aspects of its Intacs technology and other
vision correction technology. KeraVision has entered into confidentiality
agreements with its contract manufacturers to protect the proprietary nature of
its technology.