WARSAW, Ind., Jul 2, 2002 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
VerSys Advocate Stem Addresses Surgeon Requirements
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) announced today that it has launched the VerSys Advocate(TM) Hip Prosthesis to address surgeon requirements for a product that aids in proper centralization within the femoral canal.
"Surgeons have told us that one of the keys to long-term success for cemented hip replacements is the ability to assure that the implant is properly centered in the femoral canal," said Ray Elliott, Chairman, President and CEO of Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH). "The VerSys Advocate Hip builds on our success with our V-Lign® Proximal Centralizer by incorporating it into the stem design. The result is a stem that we believe will be well received among surgeons who prefer cemented products."
"The Advocate hip approach can be useful to all surgeons who use cemented implants, especially in that its distinct design provides control for anterior/posterior and medial/lateral positioning, as well as for rotational stability," said Dr. Richard White, who participated in the design of the product with Zimmer. "I think it will also be adopted in many teaching institutions because orthopaedic surgeons in training will find it helpful in learning how to properly place the hip implant in the femoral canal."
Zimmer has recently expanded its overall hip offering with a broad range of new products for cementless hip surgery, which is the fastest growing area within hip replacement. The cemented category remains the largest in hip replacement.
The company also recently filed for clearance to market two products for patients who require additional constraint in the acetabulum, or socket. These additions are especially important in the rapidly growing market for revision products.
Zimmer says that the VerSys Advocate Hip will first be launched in North America but will eventually be available globally. The full roll-out is expected to take 18 months.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and fracture management products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Fracture management products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer also manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic and general surgery. For the year 2001, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,400 employees worldwide.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, price and product competition, rapid technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new product development, the mix of our products and services, customer demand for our products and services, our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and implement alliances, international growth, U.S. and foreign government regulation, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by Zimmer with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zimmer disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.