Amedica Announces Expansion Of Executive Team

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Amedica Corporation, a spinal and reconstructive medical device manufacturer, today announced several new additions to its executive management team to help guide the company's efforts as Amedica shifts the standard of care for interbody fusion devices toward  proprietary Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic. Four strategic appointments, including a Senior Vice President of Market Development, Vice President of Marketing, a Senior Vice President of Sales, and a Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, have been added to the executive team to help execute on the company's business objectives.

Amedica is focused on advancing medical applications of its proprietary Silicon Nitride ceramic. In November 2007, Amedica secured clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to manufacture and market Silicon Nitride-based interbody fusion devices. The resulting Valeo^® product line was launched in 2008 and has since been adopted by physicians across the country as the premier interbody fusion device. In September 2012, Amedica announced the expansion of biomaterial claims for its FDA 510(k) cleared Valeo Interbody Fusion Devices. In recent studies published in peer-reviewed journals[i],[ii], Silicon Nitride demonstrated anti-infective properties as well as superior new bone formation and osteointegration in comparison to PEEK and titanium. Also in September of 2012, Amedica received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market a second generation family of cervical and lumbar interbody fusion devices. The company is also exploring innovative solutions for orthopaedic implants.

"This is a momentous time for us as we expand our leadership team and gain extensive expertise and insights to further execute on our business strategy. Mr. Rupinskas, Mr. Sendro, Mr. Abraham, and Mr. Ontiveros bring a wealth of experience to Amedica that will be critical to our ongoing success," said Eric K. Olson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Amedica.

As Amedica works to expand the utilization of Silicon Nitride in other orthopaedic applications, the hiring of experienced executives will be a key to success. Vytas Rupinskas joins Amedica as Vice President of Marketing.  Mr. Rupinskas brings more than twenty five years of marketing experience in the orthopedic, spinal and neuromodulation medical device markets previously holding senior positions at St Jude Medical, DePuy Orthopedics, DePuy International and DePuy Spine.

Paul Sendro, formerly Senior Vice President of Sales for Amedica, will now be leading the company's strategic market development initiatives. Paul has over 20 years of experience in the orthopaedic, trauma and spine medical device industries. He has held leadership positions at numerous well established companies such as US Spine, Vertebron, Blackstone Medical, Stryker Inc. and Synthes USA. 

Jim Abraham joins Amedica as Senior Vice President of Sales bringing with him over 25 years of experience in the orthopedic, trauma, spine, biologics and dental markets. He comes to Amedica from Stryker Orthopedics and has previously held a number of executive positions at companies such as IsoTis Orthobiologics, Regeneration Technologies, Encore Orthopedics and Sulzermedica.

Kevin Ontiveros joins Amedica as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. Kevin has over 20 years of experience serving as in-house and outside corporate counsel for publicly traded and privately held medical device and biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies such as ImaRx Therapeutics, Inc. (IMRX) and NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NPSP). 

Detailed information about Amedica's Executive Management Team is available at www.amedica.com.

About Amedica Corporation:

Amedica is an innovative spine and orthopaedic implant and device manufacturing and distribution company that provides advanced surgical applications including silicon nitride ceramic technologies. The company's platform technologies represent a new standard for implants and biologics based on superior performance, safety and efficacy. Amedica is a privately held, private equity backed company founded in 1996 by internationally recognized orthopaedic surgeons and ceramicists. The company is ISO 13485 certified, its spine products are FDA cleared, CE marked, and sold in ten countries. Amedica Corporation is based in Salt Lake City, UT.

Media Contact

Stacey Holifield / Stacy Nartker
Schwartz MSL
(781) 684-0770
[email protected]

[i] Gorth, Puckett, et al. "Decreased bacteria activity on Si3N4 surfaces compared to PEEK or titanium," International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2012.7 (2012):  4829-4840. Print.

[ii] Webster, Patel, et al. "Anti-infective and osteointegration properties of silicon nitride, poly (ether ether ketone), and titanium implants," Acta Biomaterialia. 8.12 (2012): 4447–4454. Print.

SOURCE Amedica Corporation