GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 5, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Nobel Biocare (Other OTC:NBCHF) formally requested papers and other data as public and official documents, according to the Swedish law principle of public access to official records. The request was made since the two professors, Tomas Albrektsson and Lars Sennerby, since May 2005 had issued serious allegations concerning Nobel Biocare's dental implant NobelDirect. But documents and data in the meantime received from Goteborg University only cover 27 patients instead of the much larger number initially referred to. The information is anecdotic; there are no indications of this material being part of a systematic review and by no means as complete as requested. They contain no scientifically or statistically relevant evidence supporting the allegations.
During the last days similar allegations were reported of a Swedish dentist, Dr. P.O. Oestman, who is closely related to the two professors. His findings have already been known by the Company, since most of his implants have been included in the three Nobel Biocare prospective clinical studies. The performance of Dr. Oestman's implants is significantly below the average performance of the other participants of the studies.
The Company does not exclude that similar allegations might be brought forward in the next few weeks. This does not change the Company's fundamental position. Nobel Biocare firmly disputes those claims. Based on the clinical studies NobelDirect is a safe and reliable product. Since the Swedish Medical Products Agency is investigating these allegations upon Nobel Biocare's request and since Nobel Biocare fully supports and trusts the Agency's procedures, the Company expects the opinion by the Agency. Until then the Company refrains from participating in a public argument whose positions seem to be taken.
NOBEL BIOCARE HOLDING AG
Disclaimer:
This release may contain forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, projections of future performance of materials and products, financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows, containing risks and uncertainties. These statements are subject to change based on unknown risks and other factors that could cause the actual results or performance to differ materially from the statements made herein.
Nobel Biocare is a medical devices group and the world leader in innovative esthetic dental solutions with its brands Branemark System(r), NobelSpeedy(tm), NobelReplace(tm), NobelPerfect(r), NobelDirect(r), Replace(r) Select, (dental implants) and Procera(r) (individualized dental prosthetics). Nobel Biocare is a one-stop shop for restorative esthetic dentistry, offering a wide range of innovative Crown and Bridge and Implant products, as well as training and education and clinically documented treatment concepts. Nobel Biocare has some 1,600 employees and recorded revenue of EUR 388 million in 2004. The company is domiciled in Zurich, Switzerland with headquarters in Zurich and in Gothenburg, Sweden. Production takes place at four production sites located in Sweden and the USA. Nobel Biocare has direct sales organizations in 29 countries. The shares of the parent company Nobel Biocare Holding AG are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, Sweden.