ANDOVER, Mass., and MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Smith & Nephew's (NYSE:SNN) (LSE:SN) Endoscopy and Orthopaedics businesses today announced the creation of separate Spine and Clinical Therapies units to better meet the needs of the clinical community and leverage the Company's strengths and future growth opportunities in these markets.
The Endoscopy Division has appointed John Mullen, formerly Endoscopy's Business Manager for the United Kingdom, as Vice President, Spine to head the Spine Group. Joe Woody, who recently joined Smith & Nephew from Alliance Imaging, has been appointed Vive President, Clinical Therapies Group.
Spine Group
Mr. Mullen will be responsible for spearheading the Company's efforts to drive further adoption of minimally invasive spinal techniques. Currently the Company offers the IDETO Procedure and the Decompression Catheter Procedure for those suffering from chronic lower back pain associated with contained herniated discs. Mullen will have responsibility for executing the strategic plan for the
Company's global spine business, developing a robust product portfolio, and global sales and marketing.
"The minimally invasive spine market and the business opportunities it provides is an important focus for Smith & Nephew," said Jim Taylor, President, Smith & Nephew Endoscopy. "This Group will work to further expand the adoption to minimally invasive spinal surgery to physicians and the broader patient community."
Clinical Therapies Group
Woody joins Smith & Nephew after holding several senior level positions in sales and marketing with Alliance Imaging. The Group will report through the Trauma Division and will specifically focus on building the Supartz* and Exogen business within Smith & Nephew. Supartz is the world's number one joint fluid therapy for pain reduction in treating osteoarthritis of the knee and Exogen is a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound system that accelerates healing in fresh fractures and resolves non-healing bone fractures.
"Focusing our sales, reimbursement and marketing strategy through our Clinical Therapies Group will allow us to provide enhanced support to our customers, and we believe will enhance our growth through increased adoption of both of these innovative products," said Dave Illingworth, President, Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics.
About Smith & Nephew:
Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) (LSE:SN) (www.smith-nephew.com) is one of the world's leading medical devices companies, specializing in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew ranks as the global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is the fastest growing full-line orthopaedics company in the world.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company prides itself in the strength of its relationships with its surgeon and healthcare professional customers, with whom its name is synonymous with the highest standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has more than 7,000 employees and operates in 32 countries around the world, generating sales of nearly $2 billion.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The company wishes to caution the reader that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, risks associated with new product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, the company's overall business strategy and other factors.