Osteotech Highlights Three Procedure-Specific MagniFuse(TM) Bone Grafting
Products at the NASS 2009 Annual Meeting
Used in 40 Surgeries To Date, MagniFuse Products Addressing Unmet Needs in
Three Spinal Surgery Areas;
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Osteotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:
OSTE), a leader in the emerging field of biologic products for regenerative
healing, today announced it is highlighting three procedure-specific
MagniFuse(TM) bone grafting products for different spine therapy areas at the
North American Spine Society (NASS) 2009 Annual Meeting, taking place November
10th through 14th in San Francisco, California. To date MagniFuse has been
used in 40 spinal surgeries in the United States.
"Our strategy is to utilize our platform technologies to develop
procedure-specific products to address critical unmet surgical needs and we
are very excited to be highlighting our MagniFuse platform at NASS," said Sam
Owusu-Akyaw, Osteotech's President and Chief Executive Officer. "By utilizing
our MagniFuse product line in posterior cervical, posterolateral and spinal
deformity procedures, Osteotech is targeting a significant segment of the
spinal therapy area. Feedback from surgeons that have used MagniFuse to date
indicates the differentiated characteristics and capabilities supported by our
MagniFuse technology have been well received, and we believe we are strongly
positioned to become a market leader."
MagniFuse is a patented, next-generation technology platform that supports a
family of high-performance, procedure-specific products that provide for
simplified, precision grafting when injury or disease creates a need for bone
fusion or new bone growth.
"In addition, we are also looking forward to showcasing our leading-edge
FacetLinx(TM) Fusion Technology and Plexur M(TM) Innovative Grafting at NASS,"
continued Mr. Owusu-Akyaw. "Similar to MagniFuse, these products have
received very positive responses in the market and we believe they will both
play an important role in our future success. Our goal at Osteotech is to
continue to commercialize proprietary biologics designed to address the unmet
needs of the surgeon community and we believe these introductions illustrate
our ability to successfully execute this strategy. We are pleased to share
them directly with the physician community through NASS this week."
New MagniFuse Technology Products
Osteotech is showcasing three procedure-specific forms for three different
spine therapy areas in the Company's booth at NASS: PC (posterior cervical),
SD (spinal deformity) and PL (posterolateral).
-- MagniFuse PC (posterior cervical) - Posterior cervical fusion is a
surgical procedure to stop motion between two or more vertebrae that
may
be causing neck pain or damage to the nerves that extend into the
upper
extremities.
-- MagniFuse SD (spinal deformity) - Spinal deformities, or curves in the
spine, often develop during growth in adolescence or as a result of
aging. MagniFuse will be utilized in the treatment of scoliosis, a
frontal spinal deformity where the normal straight alignment of the
spine from the front is affected by a curve to the left or right.
-- MagniFuse PL (posterolateral) - Posterolateral fusion involves placing
bone graft in the posterolateral portion of the spine. This procedure
may be recommended as a surgical treatment option for patients with a
condition causing spinal instability, such as degenerative disc
disease,
spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis, which has not responded to
conservative treatment measures (rest, physical therapy or
medication).
MagniFuse Technology Platform
Osteotech's MagniFuse technology platform and related products offer unique,
differentiating features compared with other bone grafts on the market:
-- As a result of Osteotech's proprietary manufacturing and processing
technology, MagniFuse utilizes a highly active biologic material,
derived from an allograft source material containing a higher
concentration of multiple natural human growth factors.
-- This formulation is delivered in a unique, resorbable, mesh bag
delivery-containment system that is sized specifically for the
procedure
application, eliminating the graft migration-related issues facing
competitive products. It is also radiopaque, enabling surgeons to
confirm both intra- and post-operation placement of the graft.
-- The combination of MagniFuse's formulation and delivery system
provides
an optimized scaffold comprised of 100% bone material that produces
targeted bone formation, as evidenced by our clinical data to date.
-- Osteotech worked with a team of recognized spine surgeons and used
their
feedback in the development of the specific procedural forms within
the
MagniFuse line of products based on sizing and surgical techniques
used
in spinal surgeries.
Plexur M Innovative Grafting
Plexur M, a biocomposite combination of cortical bone fibers and resorbable
polymers, may be used in a variety of orthopedic procedures as a bone void
filler. Developed utilizing the Company's proprietary Plexur® technology,
Plexur M offers a number of unique characteristics for orthopedic surgeons:
-- Plexur M is pliable and moldable when heated, and can be shaped to
specifically fit most defects.
-- Plexur M provides porosity for bone growth after implantation and is
fully resorbed by the body during the remodeling process.
-- Plexur M hardens at body temperature when applied within the body
allowing surgeons to quickly move to the next step in the surgery.
The Plexur technology platform is a unique and patented combination of polymer
and cortical bone fibers that supports a family of procedure-specific products
targeted for use in a variety of orthopedic surgeries. Plexur
technology-based products have been clinically shown to completely resorb into
the body within six to twelve months and to be replaced by host bone. Plexur
technology offers improved handling and an effective osteoconductive matrix
with high levels of porosity that provides a broad surface area for new cell
growth. Plexur is supported by more than 20 patents and patent applications
and is the platform technology that supports Plexur P(TM) used in a variety of
trauma and reconstructive surgeries and focused on foot and ankle procedures
as well as Plexur M.
FacetLinx Fusion Technology
Facet joint disorders are among the most common of all the recurrent,
disabling low back problems that have serious symptoms and disability.
FacetLinx is a patent-pending spinal allograft product that treats mechanical
and facet-driven back pain by fixating the facet joints or may augment
standard instrumented and non-instrumented fusion, offering patients stability
with minimum additional risks. FacetLinx offers a number of differentiating
advantages over other facet fusion devices:
-- FacetLinx is quick, simple and has immediate efficacy, with reduced
potential complications.
-- The FacetLinx system's less invasive design provides a cruciform shape
that is more stable and will resist motion to thus aid in immediate
back
pain relief.
-- The FacetLinx system facilitates direct access to the cancellous bone
on
both sides of the facet joint to facilitate fusion.
About Osteotech
Osteotech, Inc., headquartered in Eatontown, New Jersey, is a global leader in
providing biologic solutions for regenerative medicine to support surgeons and
their patients through the development of innovative therapy-driven products
that alleviate pain, promote regenerative and biologic healing and restore
function. For further information regarding Osteotech or this press release,
please go to Osteotech's website at www.osteotech.com.
Certain statements made throughout this press release that are not historical
facts are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding the Company's future plans,
objectives and expected performance. Any such forward-looking statements are
based on assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, but are subject
to a wide range of risks and uncertainties and, therefore, there can be no
assurance that actual results may not differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the Company's
ability to develop and introduce new products, differences in anticipated and
actual product and service introduction dates, the ultimate success of those
products in the marketplace, the continued acceptance and growth of current
products and services, the impact of competitive products and services, the
availability of sufficient quantities of suitable donated tissue and the
success of cost control and margin improvement efforts. Certain of these
factors are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press
release is as of November 11, 2009 and the Company does not intend to update
this information.
SOURCE Osteotech, Inc.
Company: Mark H. Burroughs, +1-732-542-2800, Investors: Jennifer Beugelmans,
+1-646-596-7473, Media: Dan Budwick, +1-973-271-6085, all of Osteotech, Inc.
