Smith & Nephew Signs Distribution Agreement for Unique Injectable Bone Void Filler With Graftys

MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics (NYSE: SNN) today announces the signing of a distribution agreement with French biotechnology company Graftys. The deal gives Smith & Nephew distribution rights for Graftys' fast-setting, macroporous calcium phosphate bone void filler in the U.S., and potentially in additional countries around the world.

"We are committed to offering our surgeon customers innovative solutions which benefit patients," says Bill Shopoff, President of the Trauma Franchise of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics. "This is a unique product from the leading innovator in this space and we look forward to a successful partnership."

The distribution deal is for a unique bone graft technology that offers a surgeon an injectable, hard-setting resorbable calcium phosphate bone substitute which provides a support scaffold for bone growth and is also easy to mix and apply in situ.

"We are very confident that the combination of Graftys' unique technology with the broad capability of the Smith & Nephew organization will bring advanced capabilities to the orthopaedic marketplace," says Alain Valet, Chief Executive Officer for Graftys.

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business with global leadership positions in Orthopaedics; including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies; Endoscopy; including Sports Medicine; and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 90 countries worldwide. Annual sales in 2010 were $4 billion.

About Graftys:

Graftys was created in 2005. The Company is based in Aix en Provence and Nantes (France) and opened its US office in Chicago in 2009. The Graftys team (23 employees) develops, manufactures and markets biomaterials and biotechnologies in the field of bone biology. Company technologies provide innovative therapeutic products through bone tissue engineering. Graftys is at the leading edge of combination products (ie drug/device). The company has partnered with leading research institutions in France (INSERM, CRNS, ANR, and various Universities) and co-owns several patents with these organizations.

Forward-Looking Statements

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SOURCE Smith & Nephew