DSM Biomedical Announces Continued Partnership with Spinelab

BERKELEY, Calif., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- DSM Biomedical, a global leader in biomedical materials science, and its Berkeley based operation, DSM PTG, today announced the company has extended its partnership with Spinelab Ltd., a privately held company specialized in developing a dynamic stabilization system for the spine. Spinelab's Elaspine™ Implant System, a pedicle-screw based posterior motion preservation system for the degenerative lumbar spine, uses Bionate^® PCU, which is a proprietary DSM Biomedical polymer with optional built-in surface modification, designed for chronic implants and extensively used in orthopedic applications for its tough, load bearing qualities. The implant system also marks the first clinical use of a PCU-only posterior rod. With the use of this advanced technology, the viscoelastic material properties of the polymer rod allows the system to act comparably to a damper thus enhancing stability and reducing the effects of peak loads.

Bionate^® PCU has been a key material used by Spinelab in their core product Elaspine™, which is designed to reduce pain for patients while still allowing limited range of motion in the spinal column. Introduced in 2009, Elaspine™ has experienced success with Spinelab customers, having most recently completed one-year performance assessment with its first patients.

"Continuing to evolve our relationship with DSM Biomedical puts us in a unique position to leverage the impressive track record of their suite of biomedical materials" said Thomas Zehnder, president and CEO, Spinelab. "We selected Bionate^® PCU for its long and successful clinical track record. Working with a proven, unmatched implantable material for our spinal applications allows Spinelab to focus on delivering the desired biomechanics to ensure implant performance for our esteemed customers."

"The opportunity to continue manufacturing and supplying Bionate^® PCU to Spinelab is a catalyst in growing our product sales and validates our mission to focus on growth by leveraging proprietary biomaterials technology and capabilities," said Rob Evans, vice president of Global Marketing and Sales, DSM PTG.

About DSM Biomedical

DSM Biomedical develops novel materials-based solutions to meet the present and future needs of the medical device and biopharmaceutical industries. Building on the expertise and strengths of DSM and its acquisition of The Polymer Technology Group, which is now known as DSM PTG, the company's product portfolio includes coatings, drug delivery platforms and a wide range of biomedical materials for use in short- and long-term implantable medical devices. Key product brands include Bionate^® PCU and CarboSil^® TSPCU, two of the most extensively tested biomedical polymers ever developed. Both polymers have excellent biostability, high strength and abrasion resistance, making them candidate materials for load-bearing orthopedic implants. ComfortCoat^® hydrophilic and antimicrobial coating technology for catheters, guidewires and stent delivery systems; and Dyneema Purity^®, a high-performance polyethylene fiber technology developed specifically for use in medical applications, such as orthopedic implants. The company also markets the Trancerta^™ family of bioresorbable materials for drug delivery. This portfolio is based on DSM's core strengths in materials science combined with its extensive in-house library of synthesis methods, formulation and processing techniques. For more information, visit www.dsmbiomedical.com.

DSM – the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance. Its end markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal care, pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and electronics, life protection and housing. DSM manages its business with a focus on the triple bottom line of economic performance, environmental quality and social responsibility, which it pursues simultaneously and in parallel. DSM has annual net sales of about €8 billion and employs some 22,700 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.

About Spinelab

Spinelab's core product is a next generation dynamic stabilization system for the spine, which is marketed under the name Elaspine™. The system is unique in having a simple approach to establish consistent biomechanical conditions. Spinelab's patents cover a wide range of design options including minimally invasive approaches. Spinelab has a certified quality management system according to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13485:2003. www.spinelab.com

SOURCE DSM Biomedical