Healthcare Industry News: Alphatec Spine
News Release - May 4, 2009
Alphatec Spine Introduces the GLIF (Guided Lateral Interbody Fusion) Technique and the ARC Portal Access System
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATEC ), the parent company of Alphatec Spine, Inc., a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders, with a focus on treating conditions related to the aging spine, introduced the ARC Portal Access System in conjunction with the introduction of the minimally invasive GLIF (Guided Lateral Interbody Fusion) technique during the AANS (American Association of Neurological Surgeons) annual meeting in San Diego, CA.The proprietary ARC Portal Access System and instrumentation has been designed specifically for the GLIF technique, providing lateral access with direct visualization to the intervertebral disc space while allowing the patient to remain in a prone position. When augmented with posterior pedicle fixation, the ARC system eliminates the need to reposition the patient intra-operatively, thereby reducing the overall length of the lateral lumbar fusion procedure and potentially reducing operating room costs.
Dirk Kuyper, President and CEO of Alphatec Spine said, “We believe the GLIF technique significantly advances the direct lateral approach in the form of a less-invasive and more-efficient lateral interbody fusion technique. We have developed something extremely unique that addresses a true need within the surgeon community and marketplace. The introduction of the GLIF technique and the ARC access system further strengthens our product offering and opportunity to participate in the growing minimally invasive market.”
In 2009, the U.S. market for minimally invasive interbody fusion devices is estimated to exceed $200 million.
The Company intends to commence a limited market release of the ARC system in the second quarter of 2009.
About Alphatec Spine
Alphatec Spine, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATEC ). Alphatec Spine is a medical device company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders, primarily focused on disorders affecting the aging spine. The Company's mission is to combine world-class customer service with innovative, surgeon-driven design that will help improve the aging patient's quality of life. The Company is poised to achieve its goal through new solutions for patients with osteoporosis, stenosis and other aging spine deformities, improved minimally invasive products and techniques and integrated biologic solutions. In addition to its U.S. operations, the Company also markets its spine products in Europe. In Asia, the Company markets a broad line of spine and orthopedic products through its subsidiary, Alphatec Pacific, Inc. For more information, please visit www.alphatecspine.com.
Also visit the Aging Spine Center, www.agingspinecenter.com, a web-based information portal for healthcare providers and patients regarding aging spine disorders and their treatment. The Company is working with the National Osteoporosis Foundation as well as other clinical portals that provide peer-reviewed content, to populate the Aging Spine Center. The interactive website will enable patients to review pertinent information about disorders that affect the aging spine in an easy-to-understand format that includes videos, graphics and questions that should be asked of caregivers. Medical information will include published abstracts regarding the aging spine.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainty. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Alphatec Spine's ability to accelerate new product momentum, bring to market differentiated products and commercialize its product pipeline. Alphatec Spine cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: Alphatec Spine’s ability to meet its 2009 financial guidance, the growth rate of the spine market related to aging and elderly patients, uncertainty of success in developing new products or products currently in Alphatec Spine's pipeline, including the ARC Portal Access System and the GLIF technique and related products, and those products that are intended to treat disorders prevalent in aging patients, failure to achieve acceptance of Alphatec Spine's products, including the ARC Portal System and the GLIF technique, by the surgeon community, failure to obtain FDA clearance or approval for new products, or unexpected or prolonged delays in the process, including without limitation the ARC Portal Access System and the GLIF and related technique products, Alphatec Spine's ability to develop and expand its business in the United States, Asia and Europe, continuation of favorable third party payer reimbursement and acceptable collections from hospitals for procedures performed using Alphatec Spine's products, unanticipated expenses or liabilities or other adverse events affecting cash flow or Alphatec Spine's ability to successfully control its costs or achieve profitability, uncertainty of additional funding, Alphatec Spine's ability to compete with other competing products and with emerging new technologies, product liability exposure, patent infringement claims and claims related to Alphatec Spine's intellectual property. Please refer to the risks detailed from time to time in Alphatec Spine's SEC reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. Alphatec Spine disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
Source: Alphatec Spine
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