Healthcare Industry News: bone void filler
News Release - May 16, 2007
Zimmer Holdings and Regeneration Technologies Enter Distribution Agreement for New Allograft Paste Implant
WARSAW, Ind., and ALACHUA, Fla., May 16 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SMX: ZMH), a leader in the orthopaedic industry, and Regeneration Technologies, Inc. (RTI) (Nasdaq: RTIX ), a leading processor of orthopaedic and other biologic implants, announced today that the companies have signed an exclusive 10-year distribution agreement for a new allograft bone paste.The next generation allograft bone paste will be delivered in flowable and moldable formulations, and is composed of inductive and carrier elements that are derived solely from human bone. The moldable formulation includes additional bone chips for osteoconduction.
Handling and setting properties of the paste are designed so that the cohesive properties are maintained in a wet environment and so that the implant will conform and pack easily into the surgical site. The paste is provided pre-hydrated and at room temperature, and it is delivered sterile in a single stage delivery system.
The paste is comprised of allograft tissue that must pass a rigorous in vivo rat assay designed to screen out potentially underperforming and inflammatory demineralized bone from use. Financial terms of the agreement, which is effective immediately, were not disclosed. Initial shipments of the paste to Zimmer are expected during the fourth quarter of 2007.
"We are pleased to be able to work exclusively with RTI to combine the strength of their allograft bone paste with Zimmer's powerful distribution network," said David Dvorak, President and Chief Executive Officer of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. "Zimmer customers will now have direct access to an advanced demineralized bone paste product, which we believe is a natural complement to our joint reconstruction, spine, dental and trauma products and to our existing bone void fillers."
"We are delighted to partner with Zimmer, a leader in orthopaedics, to bring this new paste implant to market," said Brian K. Hutchison, RTI's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This next generation allograft bone paste offers surgeons ease of use and better performance for a variety of applications where a bone void filler is needed."
About Zimmer
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer is the worldwide #1 pure-play leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma and related orthopaedic surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 24 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2006 sales were approximately $3.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of nearly 7,000 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at http://www.zimmer.com
Zimmer Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "assumes," "guides," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, the outcome of the Department of Justice investigations announced in March 2005 and June 2006, price and product competition, rapid technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new product development, the mix of our products and services, supply and prices of raw materials and products, customer demand for our products and services, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and implement alliances, international growth, governmental laws and regulations affecting our U.S. and international businesses, including tax obligations and risks, product liability and intellectual property litigation losses, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be set forth in our periodic reports. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, since, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
About Regeneration Technologies, Inc.
RTI processes allograft and xenograft tissue into shaped implants for use in orthopaedic and other surgeries with a commitment to science, safety and innovation.
RTI also holds the patents on BioCleanse, the only proven tissue sterilization process validated to eliminate viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores from tissue without impacting the structural or biomechanical integrity of the tissue. The company has distributed more than half a million allograft implants sterilized with the BioCleanse process with zero incidence of infection. RTI is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks.
Except for historical information, any statements made in this press release about the company's anticipated financial results, future operational results, regulatory approvals or changes to the company's agreements with its distributors are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, such as those described in the company's public filings on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results reflected in these forward-looking statements. Copies of the company's SEC filings may be obtained by contacting the company or the SEC or by visiting RTI's web site at www.rtix.com or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.
Source: Zimmer Holdings
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