Empresas y finanzas

Orthofix Announces First Surgical Procedure Using Advent(TM) Cervical Disc



    Orthofix International N.V. (NASDAQ: OFIX) announced today the
    completion of the first surgical procedure to implant the Advent(TM)
    Cervical Disc, which is the first motion preservation device developed
    by Orthofix's spine implant subsidiary, Blackstone Medical. The
    successful procedure was performed at the prestigious Sao Paulo
    University Medical Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil by Dr. Tarcisio Eloy de
    Barros Filho and Dr. Alexandre Fogaca. The Vice-Dean of the Sao Paulo
    University Medical School and Titular Professor of the Orthopaedic
    Department, Dr. Barros is also the president-elect of the Brazilian
    Orthopaedic and Traumatology Society.

    "The procedure involving the implantation of an artificial
    vertebral disc in a 51-year old female patient went very well," said
    Dr. Barros. "I found the simplicity of the surgical technique used to
    implant the device and the well-designed, intuitive instrumentation to
    be important advantages of the Advent disc."

    Dr. Scott Blumenthal of the Texas Back Institute in Dallas, Texas,
    a member of Blackstone's medical advisory board who also attended the
    surgery and provided additional training, stated that, "as one of the
    first artificial cervical discs to incorporate a flexible elastomer
    core, the Advent disc has advanced biomechanical properties designed
    to provide patients with a natural range of motion post-surgically.
    Additionally, the pre-assembled design reduces the need for complex
    instrumentation and simplifies the surgical technique."

    "This is truly a breakthrough product for the company, as it
    represents our entrance into the important motion preservation segment
    of the spine industry which is estimated to grow to several billion
    dollars worldwide over the next few years", said Alan Milinazzo,
    Orthofix's CEO. "Though motion preservation is a surgical trend that
    is in its infancy, we believe it will become an accepted standard of
    care for many patients."

    Matthew Lyons, the President of Blackstone Medical, added that,
    "our design team received important advice and feedback from key
    surgeons that facilitated the development of the compliant core and
    the simplified surgical technique used to implant the Advent disc.
    And, our engineers and medical advisory board will continue to work on
    the development of innovative products to expand our portfolio of
    motion preservation devices."

    Orthofix indicated that it hopes to obtain a CE mark for the
    Advent Cervical Disc by the fourth quarter of this year, representing
    approval for commercial use throughout the European Union. The company
    also has plans to begin clinical trials in the U.S. by early next
    year, and anticipates obtaining FDA approval by the end of 2011.

    About Orthofix International, N.V.

    Orthofix International N.V., a global diversified orthopedic
    products company, offers a broad line of minimally invasive surgical,
    as well as non-surgical, products for the spine, orthopedic, and
    sports medicine market sectors that address the lifelong
    bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages, helping them
    achieve a more active and mobile lifestyle. Orthofix's products are
    widely distributed around the world to orthopedic surgeons, hospitals
    and patients via Orthofix's sales representatives and its
    subsidiaries, including Breg, Inc. and Blackstone Medical, Inc., and
    via partnerships with other leading orthopedic product companies
    including Kendall Healthcare. In addition, Orthofix is collaborating
    in R&D partnerships with leading medical institutions such as the
    Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, the Cleveland Clinic
    Foundation, and the National Osteoporosis Institute. For more
    information about Orthofix, please visit www.orthofix.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release contains certain forward-looking statements
    under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
    forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
    concerning expectations related to new products at Orthofix and its
    subsidiaries, and are based on management's current expectations and
    estimates and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
    results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by
    the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute
    to such differences may include, but are not limited to, unanticipated
    expenditures, changing relationships with customers, suppliers and
    strategic partners, risks relating to the protection of intellectual
    property, changes to the reimbursement policies of third parties,
    changes to governmental regulation of medical devices, the impact of
    competitive products, changes to the competitive environment, the
    acceptance of new products in the market, conditions of the orthopedic
    industry and the economy and other factors described in the most
    recent report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed by
    Orthofix with the Securities and Exchange Commission.