RTI Biologics, Inc. (RTI) (Nasdaq:RTIX), the Florida-based processor of
orthopedic, dental, hernia and other biologic implants, announced today
that the company’s bovine pericardium membrane
has been introduced into the dental market through its distributor,
Zimmer Dental, under the trade name CopiOs®.
The product was introduced at the American Academy of Periodontology and
the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons annual
meetings, both held in Seattle, Wash. in September.
The CopiOs Pericardium Membrane will address the needs of oral surgeons,
periodontists and dentists in conjunction with bone grafting and implant
procedures. RTI partners with Zimmer Dental, a worldwide leader in the
dental implant business, in the rapidly growing dental biologics market.
The membrane is used in various oral surgical procedures, including
guided bone regeneration (GBR). The bovine pericardium membrane implant
received 510(k) clearance for dental applications from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in the second quarter of 2008.
“We have been extremely pleased with the
efforts of our distributor, Zimmer Dental, and are excited to bring a
global, xenograft solution to the dental business,”
said Guy Mayer, president of RTI. “We have
expanded our biologic options in order to provide customers with a full
range of solutions and are excited about continuing our growth in this
business.”
About RTI Biologics Inc.
RTI Biologics, Inc. is the leading provider of sterile biological
implants for surgeries around the world with a commitment to advancing
science, safety and innovation. RTI prepares human donated tissue and
bovine tissue for transplantation through extensive testing and
screening, precision shaping and proprietary, validated sterilization
processes. These allograft and xenograft implants are used in
orthopedic, dental, hernia and other specialty surgeries.
RTI’s innovations continuously raise the bar
of science and safety for biologics—from being
the first company to offer precision-tooled bone implants and assembled
technology to maximize each gift of donation, to inventing fully
validated sterilization processes that include viral inactivation steps.
Two such processes, the BioCleanse® Tissue
Sterilization Process and the Tutoplast®
process, sterilize tissue, are clinically successful and are
scientifically proven to eliminate donor-to-recipient disease
transmission risk while preserving tissue strength and biocompatibility.
These processes have a proven record of more than two million implants
distributed with zero incidence of infection. In addition, RTI pastes
are sterilized through the demineralization process, a validated viral
inactivation step.
The company is leading the evolution of biologics once again by offering
a bovine based biological matrix, providing surgeons an expanded supply
of safe, sterile tissue for their patients.
RTI’s worldwide corporate headquarters are
located in Alachua, Fla., with international facilities in Neunkirchen,
Germany, and Aix-en-Provence, France. The company is accredited by the
American Association of Tissue Banks.
Forward Looking Statement
This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements include but are not limited to statements about the expected
benefits of the business combination involving RTI and Tutogen,
including potential synergies and cost savings, future financial and
operating results, and the combined company's plans and objectives. In
addition, except for historical information, any statements made in this
communication about anticipated financial results, growth rates, new
product introductions, future operational improvements and results,
regulatory approvals or changes to agreements with distributors also are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties, including the ability of RTI to integrate its
business successfully and to realize the expected synergies and cost
savings from the merger and the risks described in public filings on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results
may differ materially from anticipated results reflected in these
forward-looking statements. Copies of the company's SEC filings may be
obtained by contacting the company or the SEC or by visiting RTI's Web
site at www.rtix.com
or the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov.
RTI Biologics, Inc., Alachua
Wendy Crites Wacker, APR, Corporate
Communications
386-418-8888