Pioneer® Surgical Technology Acquires Angstrom(TM) Medica, Inc.


Pioneer Surgical expands footprint in Orthobiologics Market

MARQUETTE, Mich., Oct. 24 -- Pioneer Surgical Technology (PST) today announced its acquisition of Angstrom Medica, Inc., headquartered in Woburn, MA. Angstrom is the first company to obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a nanotechnology device -- NanOss(TM). NanOss chemistries enable products that are highly osteoconductive and can remodel over time into human bone. NanOss has potential application in trauma, spine and general orthopaedic markets. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Angstrom Medica, Inc. becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of PST and is part of its orthobiologics division.

"Angstrom Medica and its innovative technology represent a strategic addition to the Pioneer family," said Matthew N. Songer, M.D., Chairman and CEO of PST. "This latest orthobiologic acquisition complements our mission by developing technology that empowers surgeons to restore patients to normal function with products and methods not currently available."

NanOss, like human bone, is made of hydroxyapatite crystals. By controlling the material at the nanocrystalline level the resulting compound can have the strength of established polymer surgical implants. According to Angstrom's CEO Edward Ahn, Ph.D., "This biomaterial provides an opportunity for changing orthopaedic technology by offering surgeons and their patients devices that have great strength upon implantation and may gradually be replaced by living human bone."

Also in 2007, PST acquired Encelle, Inc., a North Carolina firm that develops novel products for tissue regeneration including E-Matrix(TM), a sterile, injectable biopolymer designed to repair or regenerate diseased or damaged tissue.

Said Wesley McDermott, PST's Vice President for New Business Development, "The Angstrom acquisition further expands Pioneer's position and opportunity in a growing orthobiologic market."

About Pioneer Surgical Technology
Pioneer Surgical Technology, headquartered in Marquette, Michigan, is a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of spinal and orthopedic implants. Founded in 1992, Pioneer is a true surgeon-driven spinal device company that promotes responsiveness through customer intimacy, and a commitment to innovation. Pioneer has launched several spinal implant systems: Quantum(TM) Spinal Rod, Pioneer® Anterior Cervical Plate, and PEEK-Plus Vertebral Body Replacement Devices. Pioneer also has received the European CE mark for the NUBAC(TM) Disc Arthroplasty System.

About Angstrom Medica, Inc.
Angstrom Medica, Inc. (http://www.angstrommedica.com/) is a biomaterials and medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of its proprietary nanocrystalline calcium phosphate technology -- NanOss(TM). The company was founded in 2001 by Dr. Ahn and two fellow Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) researchers. In 2005, Angstrom was the recipient of Frost and Sullivan's 'Excellence in Technology Award'. The company is currently located in Woburn, MA.

For more information visit www.pioneersurgical.com/.

Source: Pioneer Surgical Technology

CONTACT: Tom Laughran of Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., +1-312-501-1909, tom.laughran@fleishman.com, for Pioneer Surgical Technology; or Wesley McDermott of Pioneer Surgical Technology, +1-906-225-5682, wesleymcdermott@pioneersurgical.com

Web site: www.pioneersurgical.com/ http://www.angstrommedica.com/

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