Zimmer Holdings, Inc. Announces Agreement to Acquire Endius, Inc., A Leader in Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery


WARSAW, Ind., Feb. 9 /-- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:ZMH) and Endius, Inc., a privately held Massachusetts company, announced today that Zimmer has agreed to acquire Endius in a cash transaction. Under the agreement, Endius will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Zimmer. Zimmer says it expects the transaction to be approximately $0.02 dilutive in 2007 and accretive thereafter.

"We have indicated since 2003 that one of our top priorities is to invest in growing our spinal business," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and CEO. "The Endius acquisition is an important element in our overall plan to acquire promising minimally invasive and posterior-based technologies that can be leveraged for future growth and provide direct support for the Dynesys® Dynamic Stabilization System and other internal developments."

Founded in 1997, Endius is a pioneer in the development of breakthrough minimally invasive spine surgery products, implants and techniques to treat spine disease. Key Endius products include the Atavi® Atraumatic Spine Surgery System, TiTLE® 2 Pedicle Screw System, and the Minit(TM) Upper Thoracic Fixation and Posterior Cervical System. The Atavi products, including the FlexPosure® Retractor, which is specifically designed for lumbar applications, and the recently released NexPosure(TM)MIS Access, which is designed for use in the posterior cervical spine, provide surgeons with a single, integrated minimally invasive system that enables them to perform a full range of spine fusion procedures-through one access portal-without changing the traditional open surgical technique. The Atavi system, which combines unique access technology and sophisticated visualization and instrumentation capabilities, requires one small incision on each side of the spine during the entire procedure. The Minit system is the first posterior cervical and upper thoracic fixation system designed for both open and minimally invasive surgery.

Another key product line, according to Zimmer, is the NorthStar(TM)Cannulated Screw Delivery System. The NorthStar implant and instrument pedicle screw system can be used for all open and minimally invasive lumbar rod fixation procedures. Key features include a frictional head to facilitate a minimally invasive application, a 60-degree angulation, wide screw size selection, and the Marksman(TM) CounterTorque Guide instrument. The TiTLE 2 and NorthStar systems were developed for both minimally invasive and open procedures including single and multi-level fixation, compression, distraction, and reduction of spondylolisthesis.

Zimmer said it intends to maintain Endius' current operations in Plainville, Massachusetts, while it works to integrate the company into its existing Zimmer Spine business unit. Endius has about 43 employees, with most involved in product development, marketing, operations and customer service. Zimmer Spine is headquartered in the Minneapolis area. "We have great respect for the skills and expertise that Endius employees bring to our company and to our development efforts in the spinal market-we look forward to welcoming them into the Zimmer family," said Elliott.

The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007. The boards of directors of both companies have approved the merger, which is subject to Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance, the approval by Endius' shareholders and other customary closing conditions. Approval by Zimmer shareholders is not required.

About the Company

Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer is the worldwide #1 pure-play orthopaedic leader in designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing reconstructive and spinal implants, trauma and related orthopaedic surgical products. Zimmer has operations in more than 24 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2006 sales were approximately $3.5 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of nearly 7,000 employees worldwide.

Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com

Source: Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Brad Bishop, +1-574-372-4291, or bradley.bishop@zimmer.com, or Investors, Sean O'Hara, +1-574-371-8032, or sean.f.ohara@zimmer.com, or Sam Leno, +1-574-372-4790, or sam.leno@zimmer.com

Web site: www.zimmer.com/

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