WARSAW, Ind., Dec. 13, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH; SIX: ZMH), a global leader in musculoskeletal care, announced today that the Trabecular Metal Modular Cup has received the distinction of being awarded the highest reimbursement premium percentage granted to-date for an orthopaedic product in Japan.
The Japanese Central Social Insurance Medical Council, otherwise known as the Chuikyo, awarded Zimmer’s Trabecular Metal Modular Cup with an unprecedented 20 percent reimbursement premium. The decision was presented by the Chuikyo expert panel after a comprehensive review of both the material technology and clinical data. It was the opinion of the expert panel that the extensive positive clinical data clearly demonstrated significant clinical advantages and effectiveness of Zimmer’s proprietary Trabecular Metal Technology. Based on the review, a new functional reimbursement category has been established in Japan for the Trabecular Metal Modular Cup and will be introduced on January 1, 2011.
Trabecular Metal material is a highly porous biomaterial that resembles the structure, function, and physiology of trabecular bone. No other porous metal material is supported by the amount of peer-reviewed, published clinical data of Trabecular MetalTechnology and its history of proven success in orthopaedic applications. This novel material is conducive to bone formation, enabling robust biologic fixation and a stiffness similar to cancellous bone. The properties of Trabecular Metal Technology allow for decreased stress shielding and the material has the potential to improve long-term implant fixation.
“We believe Trabecular Metal technology represents one of the most significant material advancements in orthopaedics, contributing both outstanding clinical advantages and cost effectiveness to implants,” said Cheryl R. Blanchard, PhD, Zimmer’s Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer. “Securing this reimbursement and its unprecedented premium level is a major achievement for Zimmer. Japan is the world’s second largest orthopaedics market after the United States and we are excited to provide the unique advantages of our Trabecular Metal technology to the patients of Japan.”
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 2009 sales were approximately$4.1 billion. The Company is supported by the efforts of more than 8,000 employees worldwide.
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This press release contains forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “assumes,” “guides,” “targets,” “forecasts,” and “seeks” or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. For a list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see our periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be set forth in our periodic reports. Readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, since, while we believe the assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
SOURCE Zimmer Holdings, Inc
