Depuy Spine Poised For Continued Growth

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

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DePuy Spine, Inc. announced that its core portfolio, which includes fixation and fusion systems EXPEDIUM™ and MOUNTAINEER™, continues to show solid gains while minimally invasive surgery and the aging spine are proving to be high growth areas for the company as more surgeons adopt minimally invasive techniques and the population ages.

DePuy Spine made the announcement here at the 75th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), where it will showcase products including VIPER™ and PEEK™ Rods from its minimally invasive surgery line and the AEGIS™ Anterior Lumbar Plate System, CONCORDE™ Bullet and VG2® TLIF Allograft from its interbody fusion line.

"DePuy Spine has hit a new stride by refocusing on our core portfolio and entering key high growth markets," said Gary Fischetti, President, DePuy Spine. "Since the beginning of last year we've introduced eight new products and we are on track to bring an even larger number to the marketplace this year."

DePuy Spine is scheduled to introduce new products in cervical, minimally invasive spine surgery, deformity, degenerative disease and interbody fusion this year. In addition, DePuy Spine is laying the clinical, educational and economic foundation for investments it made last year in diagnostic testing for scoliosis, vertebral body augmentation for fractures from osteoporosis, total facet arthroplasty and annulus repair.

Last year DePuy Spine acquired the CONFIDENCE-System, a proprietary delivery system and novel polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement that is injected directly into vertebral bodies to treat compression fractures, a painful condition that occurs when one or more vertebrae collapse, usually as a result of osteoporosis. The treatment results in significant pain reduction and the restoration of mobility in many patients. More than 200,000 surgical interventions for vertebral compression fractures are performed worldwide each year.

Also last year, DePuy Spine, Inc., in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) formed a strategic alliance with Biomerix Corporation, a medical technology company developing novel devices in orthopedic, endovascular, and neurovascular medicine. The investment will be used to advance the company's development programs including development of a new annulus repair implant following lumbar discectomy.

"DePuy Spine has the resources, portfolio, focus and long-term commitment to meet the new challenges facing health professionals and their patients," said Gary Fischetti. "Our solutions will focus on the patient and be backed by solid clinical and economic data, coupled with extraordinary education, service and support."

About DePuy Spine

DePuy Spine, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, has worked and partnered with leading clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders to develop products to treat spine disorders for over 20 years. The company is committed to advancing the knowledge of all health care professionals and their patients in addressing spinal pathologies.

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 Spine, Inc.