PLAINSBORO, N.J., Oct. 27, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) today announced plans to market and sell the Model S Dermatome through its plastic and reconstructive sales force. The Model S, now one of three electric dermatomes offered by Integra, was designed specifically for burn surgeons. It is lighter, more ergonomic and more powerful than the other dermatomes in Integra's Padgett instrument line.
"We are very excited to launch this new product designed specifically for the burn surgeon. The new design allows for faster sterilization, thereby enhancing burn unit resource management," said Stuart Essig, Integra's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The introduction of the Dermatome S, together with our recently announced agreement to resume exclusive responsibility for the sale, marketing and distribution of the INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template(R) starting January 1, 2004, provide an example of our commitment to expand our product offerings in the burn and reconstructive market."
A dermatome is an instrument utilized by plastic and burn surgeons to surgically harvest skin grafts for use in the coverage of many types of wounds. The Model S was created to improve the skin graft yield and recovery experience for the surgeon. Its lightweight hand piece weighs only two pounds four ounces and has a two-inch diameter. A 48-volt motor makes it the most powerful in Integra's line of electric dermatomes. The Model S is Integra's first electrically powered dermatome that is flash autoclavable, a form of sterilization that exposes the device to high heat for short periods of time. Historically, this form of sterilization has been too extreme for the electrical components that comprise dermatomes.
Since acquiring Padgett Instruments in October 2002, Integra has expanded its sales force and product offerings in the plastic and reconstructive market. In August, Integra acquired the assets of Tissue Technologies, Inc., the manufacturer and distributor of the UltraSoft(TM) implant for facial soft tissue augmentation and other plastic and reconstruction applications. UltraSoft is a biocompatible, non-immunogenic implant used primarily to augment lips and to smooth frown and smile lines. In addition, UtraSoft-RC(TM) has been approved for use in the treatment of more substantial facial defects, such as soft tissue deficiencies in the cheek and temple areas of the face. These products and Padgett products are sold through Integra's plastic and reconstructive surgery sales organization. Effective January 1st, 2004, we will sell the INTEGRA Dermal Regeneration Template product through the same channel.
Integra LifeSciences is a leading provider of implants, devices, instruments, and systems used in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and in treating burns. Integra's plastic and reconstructive direct selling effort in the United States and Europe currently involves more than twenty professionals. In all other markets, these products are sold through a network of distributors.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is a diversified medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in a variety of applications. The primary applications for our products are neuro-trauma and neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, general surgery, and soft tissue repair. Integra is a leader in applying the principles of biotechnology to medical devices that improve patients' quality of life. The Company has its corporate headquarters in Plainsboro, New Jersey, with manufacturing and research facilities located throughout the world. The Company has approximately 860 permanent employees.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the successful launch of the Model S Dermatome. The accuracy of such forward-looking statements is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, physicians' willingness to use the Model S Dermatome may affect the success of the launch of this product. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in the Business section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.