MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 3 - Smith & Nephew, Inc.'s (NYSE:SNN) Orthopaedic Reconstruction business today announced Japanese regulatory approval of its award winning OXINIUM(TM) oxidized zirconium technology.
Smith & Nephew is the only orthopaedic company to offer such a revolutionary and award winning joint replacement material. OXINIUM is a proprietary transformed metal alloy with a ceramic bearing surface. OXINIUM provides low friction and wear resistance combined with the strength of a metal implant. This material is the only orthopaedic implant material to receive the ASM International Engineering Materials Award for outstanding achievement of a material used in the design and manufacture of products.
This approval marks the first time Smith& Nephew's revolutionary technology will be available in the world's second largest Orthopaedic market. The highly successful GENESIS II(TM) knee system, which has been used in excess of 500,000 surgeries worldwide and has 10 year published clinical data showing 98% survivorship, will be the first implant system available in Japan with OXINIUM.
"This is an important milestone for Smith & Nephew and our OXINIUM platform. Our premier technology is revolutionizing joint replacement around the world by providing and maintaining unparalleled wear resistance," said Joseph DeVivo, president of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic Reconstruction. "OXINIUM material has proven to be a superior metal in implants, and our trail blazing technology has given patients the significant benefit of greater durability from their implants. We are pleased with the hard work our regulatory teams performed to make this innovative implant material available for the numerous Japanese physicians and patients that have been anxiously awaiting this approval."
OXINIUM was developed and patented by individuals within Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic's Research, Development, and Manufacturing groups. All of Smith & Nephew's major knee and hip implant systems, including the GENESIS(TM) II Total Knee System, the LEGION(TM) Total Knee System, the JOURNEY(TM) BCS Knee system, the JOURNEY(TM) DEUCE(TM) Knee System, the SYNERGY(TM) Total Hip System and the ANTHOLOGY(TM) Total Hip System, are available with OXINIUM(TM) oxidized zirconium technology. The first OXINIUM oxidized zirconium component was implanted in 1995 and now more than 230,000 hip and knee components have been implanted with remarkable clinical success.
About us
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma & Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has 8,800 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world. Annual Sales in 2007 were nearly $3.4 billion.
FCMN Contact: victor.rocha@smithnephew.com
Source: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
CONTACT:or Media Inquiries, Victor Rocha, +1-901-399-6771, victor.rocha@smith-nephew.com, of Smith & Nephew
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