Depuy Orthopaedics Inc. Poised For Trauma Growth As It Launches New Anatomic Locked Plating Systems (A.L.P.S.)

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Medical Devices;  Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 10 Mar 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a global leader in devices for orthopaedic trauma, announced the launch of Small Fragment, Large Fragment and Distal Tibia Anatomic Locked Plating Systems (A.L.P.S.) at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting, as it moves forward with a new three-year plan to become a leader in the orthopaedic trauma marketplace.

"DePuy Orthopaedics is positioned for a steady flow of new products, services and solutions that will significantly increase our presence in trauma and help surgeons improve patient care," said Gordon Van Ummersen, Worldwide General Manager of Trauma and Extremities for DePuy. "The A.L.P.S. platform will be a key contributor to our growth."

The A.L.P.S. Small Fragment, Large Fragment and Distal Tibia Plating Systems are titanium plate and screw systems that combine the benefits of locking screw technology with conventional plating techniques. This hybrid plate concept allows surgeons to stabilize fractures with non-locking screws through the plate and then obtain neutralization of the construct with locking screws. The A.L.P.S. Distal Tibia System combines the latest in anatomically contoured plates with multiple fixation options so that surgeons can use compression, locking, or multiaxial screws to treat even complicated pilon or distal tibia fractures. Each system comes in a range of sizes to accommodate different stature patients.

"A.L.P.S. is a versatile system that helps obtain optimal fracture fixation based on the type of the fracture and the patient's specific bone quality and anatomy," said Roy Sanders, M.D., Director, Orthopaedic Trauma Services, Florida Orthopaedic Institute, Tampa, Florida.

DePuy Orthopaedics also announced the opening of the company's Trauma Professional Training & Education Center (PTEC) in Miami to support its growing portfolio of products and help surgeons stay abreast of the latest techniques. The center will open in April 2008 and feature expert faculty from all over the world and provide trauma surgeons with hands-on training and world-class educational opportunities.

DePuy Orthopaedics also named the Hand Innovations campus in Miami as the company's Plating Center of Excellence, where it will focus its resources on this critical market segment. DePuy Orthopaedics acquired Hand Innovations LLC, a privately-held manufacturer of widely used and innovative fracture fixation products, in 2006. Since then, DePuy Orthopaedics has integrated management, sales, and research and development from Hand Innovations into its own and continues to build on its diverse portfolio.

About DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is advancing the standard of orthopaedic patient care, with a focused commitment to help surgeons achieve excellence in surgical practice. The company designs, manufactures and distributes orthopaedic devices and supplies including hip, knee, extremity, trauma, cement, orthobiologics, and operating room products. As a global leader in joint replacement products, DePuy Orthopaedics is committed to Restoring the Joy of Motion® for patients whose mobility is restricted by severe osteoarthritis or other debilitating injury. For more information about DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., visit the company's Web site http://www.depuyorthopaedics.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from Johnson & Johnson's expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Exhibit 99 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007. Copies of this Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings, are available online at http://www.sec.gov, http://www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

DePuy Orthopaedics