10th May 2006 07:01
Smith & Nephew Plc10 May 2006 Smith & Nephew receives FDA approval for BIRMINGHAM HIP* Resurfacing system 10 May 2006 Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN) announced today that the US Food andDrug Administration (FDA) has approved the BIRMINGHAM HIP* Resurfacingsystem for use in the United States. The BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing system isthe only FDA-approved hip resurfacing product available for use in the US. Hip resurfacing is an alternative to total hip replacement for patientssuffering from abnormalities of the hip, including osteoarthritis. The BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing system conserves more of a patient's bone than atraditional hip replacement, enabling younger, more active patients to undergohip replacement surgery while preserving all future surgery options, including aprimary hip replacement. The design of The BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing systemalso offers patients a better range of natural motion with a reduced risk ofdislocation. Sir Christopher O'Donnell, Chief Executive of Smith & Nephew plc, commented, "BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing is an important new addition to the options available for patients in the United States. The procedure has already gained significant market share in countries including the UK and Australia, and we believe it has great potential in the US in patients who are considered too young for conventional replacement surgery. We are pleased to be first to market with a hip resurfacing product in the US, and the BIRMINGHAM HIP Resurfacing system continues the momentum of our innovative new product launches in orthopaedics." Enquiries Investors/Media David Yates/Debbie Scott Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113Financial Dynamics - London Jonathan Birt Tel: +1 212 850 5634Financial Dynamics - New York Victor Rocha Tel: +1 901 399 6771Smith & Nephew Orthopaedic Reconstruction About us Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising inOrthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopyand Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader inarthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the fastest growingglobal orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The companyprides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons andprofessional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with highstandards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has over 8,500employees and operates in 33 countries around the world generating annual salesof $2.6 billion. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within themeaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Inparticular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading marginsdiscussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions ofour product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan","intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect","target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identifyforward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known andunknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but notlimited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) thatcould cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew,or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performanceor achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Pleaserefer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securitiesand Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, asamended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for adiscussion of certain of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on informationavailable to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oralforward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person actingon behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by theforegoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or reviseany forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith &Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions orcircumstances on which any such statement is based. * Trademark of Smith & Nephew. Certain names registered at the US Patent andTrademark Office. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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