BTG Licenses Two-Part Hip Cup Patents to Wright Medical Technology, Inc.

Business Editors, Health/Medical Writers

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 2002

BTG plc (LSE: BGC), the global technology commercialization company, today announced it has successfully licensed the two-part hip cup patents for a license fee and future royalty payments to Wright Medical Technology, Inc., a world wide designer, manufacturer and distributor of orthopedic implants and instruments.

The two-part hip cup technology is a prosthetic hip joint replacement that allows more accurate positioning which helps prevent hip joint dislocation. The US market for hip prostheses is thought to be worth in excess of $900 million and this invention is a key component in approximately 90% of the products in this market.

BTG acquired the patents to this invention in 1982, from the inventor John Church, a Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon from Wycombe General Hospital in the UK. BTG has been licensing this portfolio of patents together with patents owned by Depuy Orthopaedics Inc (a Johnson & Johnson Company). BTG has exclusive commercialization rights for both of these patent portfolios and, to date, licensing agreements have been signed with most of the leading orthopedic companies including; Stryker Howmedica Osteonics, Smith & Nephew and Biomet. These license agreements have, to date, earned a total revenue of over US$20 million.

Commenting on the licensing agreement with Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Anthony V. Lando, BTG's Chief Operating Officer said: "John Church's invention for two-part hip cups is a fundamental concept which the industry has fully adopted. This latest license demonstrates BTG's ability to exploit its intellectual property assets and generate revenues from our portfolio. We will continue to actively seek further licenses for this innovative technology with other players in the medical devices world."

About BTG

BTG finds, develops and commercializes emerging technologies in the life and physical sciences. These innovations are protected by a strong portfolio of intellectual property that BTG develops and enhances. BTG then captures the value in these technologies through licensing and venturing activities. From the origins of its business in 1949, BTG has commercialized major innovations such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), recombinant factor IX blood-clotting protein, Campath(R) (alemtuzumab) and Multilevel Cell (MLC) memory. BTG is quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "BGC" and operates from offices in London and Philadelphia, with representation in Tokyo. BTG operates through wholly owned subsidiaries, BTG International Ltd. and BTG International Inc. in the UK and USA, respectively. Further information on BTG can be found at www.btgplc.com.

About Wright Medical

Wright Medical Technology, Inc., headquartered in Arlington, TN, has been an ISO 9001 certified designer, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of orthopaedic implants and instrumentation for over 50 years. Wright's product offerings include large joint implants for the hip and knee; extremity implants for the shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist and foot; and biologic products, including bone graft substitutes.

Since its inception, Wright has introduced a number of products that represent new standards in orthopaedic technology. From new material technologies to advanced products and instrumentation, Wright is committed to finding solutions to the challenges that face today's orthopaedic professionals.