Devices Orthopaedic Personnel

 News Release - February 18, 2009

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. Announces Establishment of Small Bone Innovations Deutschland GmbH

Formation of Small Bone Innovations Deutschland GmbH increases SBi’s market presence in Germany, one of Europe’s largest SB&J markets

Addition to senior management team enhances SBi’s ability to realize the significant opportunity in international SB&J markets

NEW YORK--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Small Bone Innovations, Inc., (SBi), a single-source provider of innovation, products, technology and education for the small bone & joint (SB&J) sector of the orthopedics industry, announced that it has taken several steps to expand and strengthen its international presence.

Acquired German Distribution Channel

SBi recently acquired its German distributor and established Small Bone Innovations Deutschland GmbH (SBi Deutschland). It is based in Donaueschingen, which is conveniently located less than 80 miles from both Stuttgart and Zurich. SBi is in the process of re-launching the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (S.T.A.R.) under the SBi brand, and has already scheduled the first surgeries in Germany and Italy. SBi Deutschland has acquired new customers for S.T.A.R. as well as other SBi products. It has also expanded its distribution network in Germany by contracting with an additional independent sales agent.

Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman & CEO of SBi, said: “With our business in France continuing to grow strongly and becoming further entrenched, we are now focusing our efforts to further raise our market presence in Germany.”

Strengthened Executive Management Team

SBi has expanded and solidified its executive management team and strengthened its international management team by appointing Mr. Florian Kemmerich as President of Small Bone Innovations International, S.A.S., which is based in Bourg-en-Bresse, France. He is responsible for international sales and for developing new international markets. Mr. Kemmerich has extensive experience in the orthopedics markets in Europe, the United States and Latin America. Prior to joining SBi, Mr. Kemmerich was Managing Director of B. Braun Melsungen AG and Vice President, Sales, Latin America for another B. Braun company, Aesculap, AG & Co. KG. Mr. Kemmerich speaks five languages.

Mr. Viscogliosi said: “Florian Kemmerich’s addition to our executive management team highlights the growing importance of our international business and enhances SBi’s ability to realize the emerging opportunity in international markets.”

Established German Management Team

SBi Deutschland’s plans to enhance its distribution network and better serve the German market, with the company’s extensive product portfolio, will be strengthened by the appointments of Dirk Dembski, International Marketing Director, Gudrun Klein, Product Manager for Germany, and Vincent Friso, International Foot & Ankle Product Specialist.

Mr. Dembski has more than ten years of management and marketing experience and is responsible for managing SBi Deutschland and international marketing. Prior to joining SBi, he worked in business development at the German organization of one of the world’s largest orthopedic companies. He will report directly to Mr. Kemmerich.

Ms. Klein has more than 25 years of healthcare experience including more than ten years in medical device sales. She is responsible for product marketing in Germany and will report to Mr. Dembski.

Mr. Friso will participate in driving international sales of the S.T.A.R. system as well as the rest of SBi’s extensive lower limb product portfolio. Mr. Friso has been promoted internally from his prior role as a direct sales representative for SBi in France.

Mr. Kemmerich said: “Germany is one of the largest SB&J markets in Europe and an important market for the S.T.A.R. ankle, our three-piece, mobile-bearing, uncemented ankle prosthesis. With the infrastructure and team now in place, we are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunity in this key SB&J market.”

Source: Small Bone Innovations

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