PLAINSBORO, N.J., Sept. 23, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) today announced that Integra NeuroSciences has enhanced its product offering for the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries. Integra LifeSciences introduced a new 3 cm length of the NeuraGen(TM) Nerve Guide and a new 4 cm length of the NeuraWrap(TM) Nerve Protector this week at the American Society for Surgery of the Hand's 2005 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Integra LifeSciences will also feature these new products at the Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons in Chicago, Illinois next week. The new lengths allow Integra LifeSciences to address a larger portion of the market for peripheral nerve repair and protection, making possible the repair of gaps beyond the length of the gaps addressed by current NeuraGen (2 cm) and protection of compressed, scarred or partially injured nerves beyond the length of current NeuraWrap (2 cm). Integra will sell this product domestically through both its Integra NeuroSciences(TM) and Reconstructive Surgery sales forces.
Integra launched the NeuraGen Nerve Guide, its first collagen peripheral nerve repair conduit, in 2001. NeuraGen is indicated for peripheral nerve repair in cases where a nerve is completely severed. Since 2001, over 8,000 NeuraGen nerve guides have been implanted in patients worldwide. NeuraGen has been used in many procedures, including procedures to repair peripheral nerves in the upper and lower extremities and cranial and facial nerves, as well as procedures for brachial plexus reconstruction. Physicians have responded favorably to NeuraGen, noting that their patients have achieved the return of neurological function without experiencing adverse wound reactions or neuroma formation. Integra estimates that the worldwide market for the repair of severed peripheral nerves is approximately $40 million.
The NeuraWrap Nerve Protector, a collagen nerve repair conduit designed for the treatment of injured, compressed or scarred nerves, was launched last year. The NeuraWrap product provides a protective environment for nerve healing, serving as an interface between damaged nerves and surrounding tissue. It is the only product available in the United States that is marketed for wrapping injured peripheral nerves. Based on available procedure data, Integra estimates that the worldwide market for the repair of injured, compressed, and scarred peripheral nerves is approximately $70 million.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is a diversified medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in a variety of applications. The primary applications for our products are neuro-trauma and neurosurgery, reconstructive surgery and general surgery. Integra is a leader in applying the principles of biotechnology to medical devices that improve patients' quality of life. Our corporate headquarters are in Plainsboro, New Jersey, and we have manufacturing and research facilities located throughout the world. We have approximately 1,300 employees. Please visit our website at (http://www.Integra-LS.com).
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future use of the NeuraGen Nerve Guide and the NeuraWrap Nerve Protector. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of physicians to use these products may affect the prospects for their use in clinical procedures. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading "Factors That May Affect Our Future Performance" included in the Business section of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.