K2M, Inc., the spinal device company developing innovative and
simplified solutions for the treatment of complex spine pathologies and
procedures, today announced it has entered the German spine market
through a distribution arrangement with Smith & Nephew GMBH.
“This announcement furthers K2M’s strategy of bringing its revolutionary
portfolio of spine products including the MESA® and DENALI®
Spinal Systems, RANGE® Spinal System, SERENGETI®
Minimally Invasive Retractor System, CASPIAN™ Spinal System,
and the ALEUTIAN® Interbody Systems to the global
marketplace,” said Eric Major, CEO and President of K2M. “We feel that a
K2M, Inc. and Smith & Nephew GMBH pairing provides the perfect
combination of disruptive technology and in-market expertise to best
serve the complex and degenerative spinal communities in the German
market.”
Mark Augusti, the President of Spine & Biologics at Smith & Nephew
stated, “Smith & Nephew is already known in Germany for its innovative
surgical spine products and K2M’s exciting range of products will
provide our customers with a fully rounded portfolio. These
differentiated technologies will allow surgeons to address the most
complex of spinal pathologies in addition to their degenerative needs.
We look forward to a successful relationship in Germany with K2M
beginning in earnest in 2010.”
The announcement marks the latest in a series of important international
accomplishments for K2M. Earlier this year, the company received PMDA
approval for its MESA Spinal System and began distributing its flagship
product in Japan. In addition to announcing the opening of a direct
distribution office in the United Kingdom in October, the company also
recently entered the Austrian marketplace. These new market launches
supplement K2M’s existing international activities in Spain, Mexico,
Greece and Australia. “Developing a European base is a clear statement
that we are committed to expanding the global availability of our
innovative technology and to supporting surgeons treating the most
difficult of spinal pathologies,” stated Christian Johnson, K2M’s
European Vice President.
About K2M
K2M, Inc. is an innovative spinal device company committed to the
research, development, and commercialization of simplified solution for
the treatment of complex spinal pathologies and procedures. Chief
Medical Officer, Chairman and co-founder, Dr. John Kostuik, former Chief
of Spine Surgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
drives K2M’s commitment to redefining the market. The company is
recognized as a worldwide leader in providing unique technologies for
the treatment of deformity, degenerative, trauma, and tumor spinal
patients. K2M’s complete portfolio of next generation products includes:
spinal stabilization systems, minimally invasive systems, and other
advancing technologies such as motion preservation, annular repair, and
nucleus replacement. Additional information is available online at www.K2M.com.
About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in
Orthopaedics, including Reconstruction, Trauma and Clinical Therapies;
Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management. Smith & Nephew is a global
leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the
leading global orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to
helping improve people’s lives. The Company prides itself on the
strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional
healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high
standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in
32 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2008 were $3.8 billion.