PLAINSBORO, N.J., Sept. 25, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) today announced that it has appointed Gerard S. Carlozzi to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In this capacity Mr. Carlozzi will direct the worldwide sales and marketing, research and development, clinical education, manufacturing, and distribution activities of Integra.
Mr. Carlozzi has more than 20 years experience in the medical device industry. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Carlozzi was President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Bionx Implants, Inc, a leading company focused on the development of novel biomaterial devices for various surgical specialties. Bionx was recently acquired by the ConMed Corporation.
Prior to that time, Mr. Carlozzi held positions with Synthes USA, a leader in orthopedic and maxillofacial trauma products, as the Director of Biotechnology Development and the Director of Marketing and Product Development for Maxillofacial Surgical Products from 1995 to 1998.
From 1986 to 1995, Mr. Carlozzi held various positions with Acufex Microsurgical, a pioneer and leader in arthroscopic orthopedic surgery, which was acquired by Smith & Nephew. At Acufex Microsurgical, as the General Manager for the Spinal Products Group and the Global Director of Research and Development, Mr. Carlozzi was responsible for sales, marketing, research and development, manufacturing, quality assurance, clinical and regulatory affairs and other various general management and business development functions.
From 1979 to 1986, Mr. Carlozzi held various management positions in marketing, sales, and research and development for Infusaid Corporation, a manufacturer of implantable drug delivery systems.
Mr. Carlozzi holds a degree in Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business from Northeastern University.
"I am very excited to have Gerry on board at Integra," said Stuart M. Essig, Integra's President and Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive experience in the development and marketing of medical devices and biomaterials will strengthen our management team and increase our ability to execute key operating objectives. Gerry will be focused on continuing to find growth opportunities for our existing products and technologies and to assist in the integration of newly acquired businesses. I am confident that he will be a great fit with Integra and will help drive our mission to lead in the development of innovative medical devices."
"I look forward to working with Stuart, the Board, and the entire team at Integra in this new position," said Mr. Carlozzi. "Integra is a well diversified and fast growing company and its tissue regeneration technology base presents an exciting opportunity for even further growth. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to this growth by leveraging the expertise and strengths of Integra."
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. Please visit the Company's Website at (http://www.Integra-LS.com).
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 Integra's ambitions to develop new medical products. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. 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.