DePuy Synthes Companies Announces Exclusive Agreement With Radlink To Help Address Key Challenges In Hip Replacement

LAS VEGAS, March 26, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DePuy Synthes Companies has signed an exclusive worldwide sales agreement with Radlink, Inc., an emerging global leader in advanced medical imaging technology, to offer real-time image guidance with its hip replacement systems. The agreement further demonstrates DePuy Synthes Companies' ongoing commitment to help improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and reduce costs. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 81st annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Las Vegas.

The agreement with Radlink provides DePuy Synthes Companies with exclusive rights to market the Radlink Galileo Positioning System™ (GPS) featuring Surgeon's Checklist™ for use with DePuy Synthes Companies' hip replacement systems.

The GPS provides surgeons with real-time intra-operative imaging and navigation, and easy-to-follow steps that are designed to help them address key challenges in hip replacement, such as component positioning, sizing, leg length and offset restoration for all surgical approaches. With advanced intraoperative imaging that processes and displays in only four seconds, the GPS has the potential to significantly reduce the time, labor, and expense associated with traditional digital imaging technology.

This is DePuy Synthes Companies' second agreement in less than a year to expand access to enabling technologies for use with its products and solutions. An agreement signed last fall between DePuy Synthes Companies and Blue Belt Technologies of Plymouth, Minn., for the Blue Belt Navio^® Surgical System has resulted in the first clinical use of the Navio^® System with DePuy Synthes Companies' SIGMA^® High Performance (HP) Partial Unicondylar Knee. The Navio^® system combines CT-free navigation software with a hand-held robotic-assisted bone shaping tool that is designed to bring a high degree of implant placement accuracy along with soft tissue balancing benefits.

"The GPS and Navio^® technologies are significant innovations that will help physicians deliver care as effectively and efficiently as possible," said Max Reinhardt, Franchise Unit Leader, DePuy Synthes Companies. "We have chosen what we believe are among the best technologies in the marketplace that, when complemented by DePuy Synthes Companies' products, will provide a total solution and therefore maximize patient care."

Both Radlink's Galileo Positioning System™ and use of Blue Belt's Navio^® system with the SIGMA^® High Performance (HP) Partial Unicondylar Knee are available in the United States with launches planned in other geographies.  

DePuy Synthes Companies
DePuy Synthes Companies provides the most comprehensive orthopaedic and neurological solutions in the world. The company offers an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs and research and development capabilities. DePuy Synthes Companies' solutions in the specialties of joint reconstruction, trauma, neurological, craniomaxillofacial, spinal surgery and sports medicine are designed to advance patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide. For more information, visit www.depuysynthes.com.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

(This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; the ability of the company to successfully execute strategic plans; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; global health care reforms and trends toward health care cost containment; product recalls or regulatory action; and manufacturing difficulties and delays. A further list and description of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. nor Johnson & Johnson undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.)

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DSUS/JRC/0315/0778

SOURCE DePuy Synthes Companies