CARLSBAD, Calif., June 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Alphatec Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATEC), a leading medical device company focused on the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders, announced today the release of the NOVEL(r)-TL Spinal Spacer System. The NOVEL-TL implant was designed to be used with Alphatec's proprietary instrumentation for maximum ease of use and procedural efficiency; thus further enhancing Alphatec's spinal implant solution product line.
"The comprehensive features of the NOVEL-TL are designed specifically to enable our surgeons to have the best possible surgical outcomes for their patients," stated Dirk Kuyper, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphatec. "The NOVEL-TL product is one more example of our commitment to providing surgeon solutions targeted at serving the needs of the spinal disorder marketplace, as well as an example of meeting our 2007 product development targets while enabling our surgeon customers to have additional technology options while utilizing Alphatec as their trusted spinal medical device partner."
Technical Information
The NOVEL-TL Spinal Spacer System is made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and has a patented tooth pattern that adds stability for optimal fusion and prevents migration of the spacer between the adjacent vertebrae. NOVEL-TL has radiographic markers that ease the visual assessment of implant placement during surgery and fusion process post surgery. Key features include a bullet nose, bi-convex shape, low-profile pedicle screw distraction, and a set of instruments that are designed specifically for the NOVEL-TL. All of the features are intended to minimize the surgeon's time to prepare and implant the device and allow for the highest quality spinal implant product for the patient.
The standard dimensions of NOVEL-TL are 28 millimeters in width, 10 millimeters in depth, and heights varying from 7 millimeters to 14 millimeters. Upon request, NOVEL-TL spinal spacers are available with dimensions that range from 22 to 30 millimeters in width, 10 millimeters in depth, and heights from 7 millimeters to 20 millimeters. All NOVEL-TL product sizes are offered in either 0* or 5* lordotic angulation to accommodate sagittal alignment with maximum surgical efficacy. The range of sizes and versatile design provides optimal distraction and permits customization for a perfect fit for various patient-specific needs, while the optimized dimensions promote excellent healing ability. The NOVEL-TL comes in an implant caddy that has been designed for optimal access to implants and instruments during surgical procedures.
Availability and Pricing
The NOVEL-TL Spinal Spacer System is now available for shipping and pricing is available on request.
About Alphatec
Alphatec (Nasdaq:ATEC) designs, develops, in-licenses, manufactures and markets innovative products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. The company's broad product portfolio and products in development includes a variety of spinal implant products and systems focused on solutions addressing the cervical, thoracolumbar, intervertibral, minimally invasive, allograft, and motion preservation markets. The company's "surgeons' culture" emphasizes collaboration with spinal surgeons to conceptualize, design and co-develop a wide range of products. State-of-the-art in-house manufacturing capabilities provide a unique competitive advantage, enabling the company to rapidly deliver customized solutions to meet surgeons' and patients' critical needs. Alphatec has 18 issued U.S. patents, one issued foreign patent and 24 pending patent applications, including sixteen pending U.S. applications, four pending international applications and four pending foreign national applications. Alphatec's principal product offerings are primarily focused on the global spine fusion market, which is estimated to approach $5.9 billion in 2007. In addition to its U.S. operations, the company also markets spine and orthopedic products in Japan through its subsidiary, Alphatec Pacific, Inc. For more information, please visit www.alphatecspine.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainty. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Alphatec cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: Alphatec's ability to maintain its level of previously reported sales growth, Alphatec's ability to develop and expand its spine fusion business in the United States and Japan, the surgeon community's continued acceptance of allograft products, Alphatec's ability to expand and maintain a successful sales and marketing organization, continuation of favorable third party payor reimbursement for procedures performed using our products, unanticipated expenses or liabilities or other adverse events affecting cash flow or Alphatec's ability to achieve profitability, uncertainty of additional funding, uncertainty of success in developing any new products, failure to successfully introduce and develop new products, including products related to license agreements, failure to achieve acceptance of Alphatec's products by the surgeon community, including the NOVEL-TL, failure to obtain FDA clearance or approval for new products, that the NOVEL-TL will enable the best possible outcomes for patients, Alphatec's ability to compete with other competing products and with emerging new technologies within and outside of spinal fusion, product liability exposure, patent infringement claims and claims related to our intellectual property. Please refer to the risks detailed from time to time in Alphatec's SEC reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. 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, unless required by law.