SAN DIEGO, CA, July 26, 2012 – DJO Global, Inc., a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced that its DJO Surgical business unit and The University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah) have signed a license agreement that will enable DJO Surgical to develop a percutaneous osseointegrated prosthesis (POP) for above the knee amputees.
An alternative to traditional socket technology, POP involves an implant in the femur that protrudes through the skin and attaches to a prosthetic limb. Prior POP development efforts have encountered difficulty with infection at the site where the implant protrudes through the skin. Based at the University of Utah, Dr. Roy Bloebaum, PHD and his team of researchers have developed a device using DJO Surgical’s new proprietary titanium P2 (P-squared) porous coating. P2 acts as both the bone in-growth as well as the seal material on the implant that provides a “soft tissue seal” around the device to prevent bacteria from entering the body. Backed by an animal study involving over 80 sheep implanted with this device, no infections were found after one year and the implant showed excellent mechanical strength. Development work on the human implant has already started and clinical trials are expected to begin in approximately two years. The initial trial sites are expected to be within the VA system and most of the patients are expected to be war veteran amputees. The Department of Defense is eager to see rapid advancements in amputee care and have provided grant money to this end.
“We are excited to sign this partnership agreement with The University of Utah and Dr. Bloebaum,” said Bryan Monroe, Senior Vice President and General Manager of DJO Surgical. “With the combination of our proprietary titanium P2 porous coating and Dr. Bloebaum’s unique approach for POP, we believe that we have developed a winning solution that will have a monumental impact on the lives of amputees.”
About University of Utah
The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Range, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves more than 31,000 students from across the United States and the world. With more than 72 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law and medicine, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. Learn more about all the U has to offer online at http://www.utah.edu.
About DJO Global
DJO Global is a leading global developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality medical devices that provide solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management. The Company’s products address the continuum of patient care from injury prevention to rehabilitation after surgery, injury or from degenerative disease, enabling people to regain or maintain their natural motion. Its products are used by orthopedic specialists, spine surgeons, primary care physicians, pain management specialists, physical therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals. In addition, many of the Company’s medical devices and related accessories are used by athletes and patients for injury prevention and at-home physical therapy treatment. The Company’s product lines include rigid and soft orthopedic bracing, hot and cold therapy, bone growth stimulators, vascular therapy systems and compression garments, therapeutic shoes and inserts, electrical stimulators used for pain management and physical therapy products. The Company’s surgical division offers a comprehensive suite of reconstructive joint products for the hip, knee and shoulder. DJO Global’s products are marketed under a portfolio of brands including Aircast®, Chattanooga, CMF™, Compex®, DonJoy®, Empi®, ProCare®, DJO® Surgical and Dr. Comfort®.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements relate to, among other things, the Company’s expectations for the timing of new product releases. The words “believe,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” and “anticipate,” variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The important factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: the successful execution of the Company’s business strategies relative to its Bracing and Vascular, Recovery Sciences, International and Surgical Implant segments; the successful execution of the Company’s sales strategies; and the Company’s ability to successfully develop, license or acquire, and timely introduce and market new products or product enhancements. These and other risk factors related to DJO are detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on March 3, 2011 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the factors that will determine the outcome of the subject matter of this press release are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict.
