Memorandum of Agreement: Training State Regulators to Advance the Quality of Orthopaedic Care for China

BEIJING, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal health, today signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Beijing Drug Administration (BJDA) to jointly hold training sessions at Montagne, Zimmer's wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary.  The trainings will be dedicated to the mutual sharing of knowledge and expertise in research, development, quality and regulation related to musculoskeletal health.  The partnership aims to allow BJDA to gain industry knowledge and to understand Zimmer and its products through dialogues and trainings undertaken by its State Inspectors. The goal of the agreement also includes strengthening production and inspection expertise at Chinese medical device companies to ensure the delivery of safe and quality orthopaedic medical devices.

Under the terms of the Agreement, which is a first with the Chinese government for Zimmer, BJDA will provide the Company with professional training regarding Chinese laws and regulations related to the manufacture and sale of medical devices.  Zimmer, in turn, will share proven experience in areas including research, development, inspection, clinical use and quality systems management.  The Company is recognized internationally for the quality of its professional education training provided to surgeons through the Zimmer Institute.

"This collaboration with the Beijing Drug Administration marks a new milestone for Zimmer in China.  Worldwide, Zimmer is a recognized leader in the development of products, services and professional training that helps patients overcome pain and regain mobility," said David Dvorak, President and CEO of Zimmer.  "Cooperating with BJDA, we are strengthening our commitment to the Chinese market.  The knowledge and expertise Zimmer's employees and the State Regulators will share with one another will help to elevate orthopaedic medicine in China."

"Beijing Drug Administration is pleased that Zimmer is cooperating with us in this initiative," said Ms. Lu Aili, Deputy Director General of Beijing Drug Administration.  

"The trainings provide a platform by which both sides will be able to gain from each other's strengths related to medical devices, especially in the area of orthopaedic reconstructive.  Overall, BJDA is committed to working with all our partners and industry stakeholders to achieve the goals set forth in the 12th Five-Year Plan of upgrading the healthcare industry and ensuring citizens' health and quality of life."

China is among the fast-growing emerging markets for medical devices, with high unmet needs in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, including arthritis.  Primarily associated with the elderly, arthritis is on the rise as China's population ages.  According to recently released statistics by the China National Committee on Aging, the number of Chinese senior citizens is expected to increase from the current 185 million to 487 million, or 35 percent of the population, by 2053.

This joint effort by Zimmer and the BJDA to hold training sessions lays the groundwork for additional opportunities to share knowledge in the near future.   This collaboration will further enhance the safety and effectiveness of medical devices, provide musculoskeletal health solutions and improve the quality of life for patients in China.

About the Company
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Zimmer designs, develops, manufactures and markets orthopaedic reconstructive, spinal and trauma devices, dental implants, and related surgical products.  Zimmer has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries. Zimmer's 2011 sales were approximately $4.5 billion.  The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 9,000 employees worldwide.

For more information, please visit our website at www.zimmer.com.

SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc.