2nd Nov 2006 10:04
Smith & Nephew Plc02 November 2006 Response to Press Speculation 2 November 2006 Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN) is constantly looking at opportunitiesto maximise shareholder value, including looking at potential strategicacquisitions. In response to recent press speculation, the Company can confirmthat it has held very preliminary talks with the US medical devices company,Biomet Inc. No agreement has been reached, and there can be no assurance thatany transaction will be proposed or completed. Smith & Nephew does not intendto make any further comment, or respond to any enquiries, unless or until thereis further information to report. There is no City Code transaction currently in contemplation. Enquiries Investors/Media Debbie Scott Tel: +44 (0)20 7960 2256Smith & Nephew David Yates Tel: +44 (0)20 7831 3113Financial Dynamics - London Jonathan Birt Tel: +1 212 850 5634Financial Dynamics - New York Further information on Biomet, Inc. can be found at www.biomet.com and on http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/webusers.htm. 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. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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