PLAINSBORO, N.J., June 1, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) announced today that Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold moldable putty is now available in a 5 cc package. The addition of the 5 cc enables clinicians to use Integra Mozaik(TM) economically for fusion applications in the cervical and lumbar spine. Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold is designed to bridge gaps or fill voids in the skeletal structures of the spine, extremities, and pelvis and was originally available as a 15 cc compression resistant strip and moldable putty.
Degenerative disease of the spine may affect nearly all adults and is increasingly prevalent in the aging population. Patients who experience severe pain, who do not respond to conservative therapies, may require fusion of one or more vertebrae (spinal fusion). A spinal fusion is successful when the bones grow together biologically and form a solid mass. Bone grafts, or other materials that promote bone growth, are frequently used by surgeons to aid and promote bone growth to achieve this desired biological fusion. The use of bone graft substitutes in spinal procedures, excluding synthetic bone morphogenetic proteins, represents an estimated $350 million market. In 2006, an estimated 450,000 spinal fusion procedures were performed in the U.S. Additional opportunity exists in orthopedic reconstructive applications.
Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold provides a framework for fusion by providing a compression resistance scaffold, as well as binding sites for cells and proteins; these elements are critical for the formation of new bone. When used with bone marrow aspirate from the patient, Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold may replace the need to harvest bone from the patient's iliac crest, thus sparing the patient additional surgery and postoperative pain.
Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold represents Integra's commitment to building a spinal portfolio in biomaterials that capitalizes on our expertise in regenerative technologies. Integra Mozaik(TM) will be sold for spinal applications through Integra's Neurospecialist sales force, which includes a newly formed group of sales specialists dedicated to the orthopedic spine market. These combined sales forces represent over 170 sales specialists across the United States.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a world leader in regenerative medicine, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients through the development, manufacturing, and marketing of cost-effective surgical implants and medical instruments. Our products, used primarily in neurosurgery, extremity reconstruction, orthopedics and general surgery, are used to treat millions of patients every year. Integra's headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and we have research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Please visit our website at 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 the future use of the Integra Mozaik(TM) Osteoconductive Scaffold. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of physicians to use this product may affect the prospects for their use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors, identified under the Risk Factors section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect actual results.