Medtronic And Scil Technology Establish Partnership For Dental Bone Regeneration Therapies

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 30 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) and Scil Technology GmbH announced a development, licensing and supply agreement between Medtronic and Scil Technology. The agreement focuses on development of Scil's biologic rhGDF-5 (recombinant human Growth and Differentiating Factor 5) dental regenerative technology for use in bone regeneration for dental implant placement and treatment of periodontal disease. Under this agreement, Scil Technology is primarily responsible for all research and development activities with Medtronic responsible for clinical trials, regulatory approvals and commercialization. Financial terms are not being disclosed.

These regenerative biologics may offer new approaches to saving teeth in patients who are at risk for tooth loss due to periodontal disease and provide new options for other dental procedures for the placement of dental implants. These therapies would be alternative treatments to the traditional bridging procedures performed by dentists.

The therapies derived from this partnership could enable Medtronic to impact the million or more patients each year who are being treated for periodontal disease or seeking dental restoration.

"The partnership with Scil Technology is a continuation of our strategy to expand our biologics portfolio" said Pete Wehrly, senior vice president and president of Medtronic's Spinal and Biologics business. "Scil Technology's therapies have the potential to offer our customers biologic solutions that will expand treatment options for their patients and offer new options for unmet needs in periodontal regeneration."

This agreement strengthens Medtronic's biologic portfolio and will be an important component to Medtronic both in the United States and internationally as the company continues its leadership in expanding indications for therapies utilizing biologics.

"Having completed a Phase I/II clinical trial of our dental regenerative material in Germany, the partnership with Medtronic further strengthens Scil Technology's capability of bringing innovative products to the market. It also advances the company's mission of improving the quality of patients' lives," said Dr. Weishui Weiser, CEO of Scil Technology.

About Medtronic's Spinal and Biologics Business

The Spinal and Biologics business at Medtronic is based in Memphis, Tenn. It is the global leader in today's spine market and is committed to advancing the treatment of spinal conditions. The Spinal and Biologics business works with world-renowned surgeons, researchers and innovative partners to offer state-of-the-art products and technologies for neurological, orthopaedic, dental and spinal conditions. Medtronic is committed to developing affordable, minimally-invasive procedures that provide lifestyle-friendly surgical therapies. More information about the company and its treatment therapies can be found at http://www.medtronicspinal.com and its patient-education Web sites, http://www.back.com, http://www.iscoliosis.com, http://www.maturespine.com and http://www.necksurgery.com.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

http://www.medtronic.com

About Scil Technology GmbH

Scil Technology is a privately financed German biopharmaceutical development company focused on dental and orthopaedic tissue regeneration with a particular emphasis on bone and cartilage repair. The company's therapeutic candidates are based on recombinant human growth factors. These factors are combined with biodegradable biomaterials to generate local application forms. Scil Technology pipeline for dentistry includes products that are targeted at periodontal disease, dental implantology and maxillofacial surgery. Orthopaedic products are developed for treatment of traumatic lesions of bone and cartilage and osteoarthritis. Scil Technology is located in the biotechnology cluster in Martinsried, Germany.

Scil Technology GmbH