Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Clears Proxy Statement Filed by Activist Shareholder of Artes Medical, Inc.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. H. Michael Shack, Proxy Organizer and shareholder of Artes Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARTE), announced today that his proxy statement has been cleared by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and he can now commence soliciting proxies from shareholders for the election of five new candidates to join the Board of Directors of Artes Medical, Inc. at the 2008 annual meeting to be held on October 30, 2008 at 10:00am PT at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar located at 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego, California. All shareholders will receive Dr. Shack’s proxy statement, along with a BLUE proxy card, shortly.

Dr. Shack stated, “I am excited that my team can now proceed with our proxy solicitation and, with the help of my fellow Artes shareholders, implement positive changes to the Artes Medical Board of Directors. I urge all shareholders to return the BLUE proxy card immediately – make your voice heard.”

Dr. Shack has engaged MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to conduct the proxy solicitation. MacKenzie Partners will solicit the votes of all shareholders on behalf of Dr. Shack and be available to answer their questions. A website has been created to provide shareholders with updates on Dr. Shack’s solicitation campaign – www.artesproxy.com – all documents on the website will also be available in German language.

A BLUE proxy card will be mailed to all shareholders who are encouraged to immediately sign, date and return it to MacKenzie Partners in order to vote their shares in favor of Dr. Shack’s proposals.

Dr. Shack is seeking to replace two current board members whose terms have expired and remove three current Board Members ‘for cause’ and elect the following as new Board Members: Charles A. Schliebs, Terry Knapp, M.D., Robert Binkele, Eric Donsky and Dr. Michael Shack, among other items as listed in the proxy statement.

If you have any questions or need assistance voting your shares, you can reach MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at (212) 929-5500 or via e-mail at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.

Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Associates, LLC
Stephen D. Axelrod, CFA (Investors), 212-370-4500
steve@wolfeaxelrod.com