CryoLife(R), Inc. Expands Its Line of Orthopaedic Tissues
CryoLife currently supplies orthopaedic surgeons with cryopreserved human knee meniscus cartilage, and patellar and Achilles tendons, addressing the 750,000 meniscal surgeries and the 165,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgeries performed each year in the United States.
About 20% of 300,000+ procedures performed each year to repair damage to the knees involve patients that have sustained a full-thickness injury or degeneration to the articular knee cartilage. The availability of the CryoLife processed OA allograft cartilage will provide orthopaedic surgeons with an important alternative option in repairing the articular cartilage to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.
Steven G. Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CryoLife, Inc., noted, ``The addition of osteoarticular allografts to CryoLife's current line of tissues for human knee repair positions the Company to participate in the market for OA cartilage replacement technology in the United States, which according to industry sources, is estimated to be over $300 million annually.''
Founded in 1984, CryoLife, Inc. is the leader in the development and commercialization of living human tissue implantable devices for use in cardiovascular, vascular, and orthopaedic surgeries throughout the United States and Canada. The Company's BioGlue® Surgical Adhesive, CE marked in the European Union for use in vascular sealing and repair, is distributed throughout Europe. The Company also manufactures CryoLife-O'Brien® and CryoLife-Ross(TM) stentless porcine heart valves which are distributed within the European Community.
Note: Statements made in this release which look forward in time involve risks and uncertainties and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such risks and uncertainties include the risk that CryoLife's processed OA allograft cartilage will not have the anticipated long-term effects in repairing articluar cartilage and in preventing the onset of osteoarthritis, the ability of the Company to successfully implement its operating strategy, changes in economic cycles, competition from other companies, changes in laws and governmental regulations applicable to the Company and other risk factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the Company's Prospectus dated March 30, 1998 contained in its Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-46545).
NOTE:
Allograft_a graft of tissue taken from the donor of the same species as the recipient.
The Company's Internet address: http://www.cryolife.com