DENTSPLY and CeraMed announce formation of a new dental biotechnology joint venture.YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 1996--John C. Miles II, president and chief executive officer of DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq: XRAY), and Dr. Andrew J. Tofe, president and chief executive officer of CeraMed Corp., Monday announced the formation of a new company, which shall be known as CeraMed Dental, containing all of the dental businesses of CeraMed and its affiliates. This company will be located in Lakewood, Colo. CeraMed Corp. is a biotechnology company originally founded in 1980 as Coors Biomedical bi·o·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of or relating to biomedicine. 2. Of, relating to, or involving biological, medical, and physical sciences. Company. DENTSPLY paid $5,000,000 for a 51% interest in this new company and the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest at a later date under a predetermined pre·de·ter·mine v. pre·de·ter·mined, pre·de·ter·min·ing, pre·de·ter·mines v.tr. 1. To determine, decide, or establish in advance: formula based on the new company's performance. This new company will be the leading supplier of bone grafting Bone Grafting Definition Bone grafting is a surgical procedure by which new bone or a replacement material is placed into spaces between or around broken bone (fractures) or holes in bone (defects) to aid in healing. materials to oral surgeons, periodontists and implantologists as well as the leading supplier of HA plasma-feed coating materials for dental implants. Its state-of-the-art bone grafting materials serve the important dental markets for osseous osseous /os·se·ous/ (os´e-us) of the nature or quality of bone; bony. os·se·ous adj. Composed of, containing, or resembling bone; bony. surgery as well as dental implants and are used to fill bony and periodontal defects and to augment resorbed alveolar ridges. The new company will continue CeraMed's development efforts over the past four years that were focused on a proprietary cell enhancement technology (P15) to clinically enhance bone regeneration. This new technology is in final human clinical trials with a PMA PMA (papillary-marginal-attached), n a system of epidemiologic scoring of periodontal disease devised by Schour and Massler in which the symbols denote the areas involved in gingival inflammation. PMA Progressive muscular atrophy submission to the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. planned for early 1997. P15 is a synthetic amino acid amino acid (əmē`nō), any one of a class of simple organic compounds containing carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and in certain cases sulfur. These compounds are the building blocks of proteins. sequence of Type I Collagen which in early human clinical trials accelerates bone regeneration in osseous defects. The initial benefit of this technology will be in enhancing the stimulation of bone regeneration in periodontal defects and the retention of teeth that might otherwise have been lost to periodontitis periodontitis Inflammation of soft tissues around the teeth (see tooth). Poor dental hygiene leads to deposition of bacterial plaque on the teeth below the gum line, irritating and eroding nearby tissues. , one of the most prevalent infectious oral diseases in mature populations. In commenting on this transaction, Tofe said, "We are confident that this new cell enhancement technology represents an important breakthrough in repairing the destruction caused by periodontal disease Periodontal Disease Definition Periodontal diseases are a group of diseases that affect the tissues that support and anchor the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease results in the destruction of the gums, alveolar bone (the part of the jaws where . Initial clinical indications are very promising as we rapidly work toward FDA submission and approval." Miles added, "Biotechnology is a new frontier of dentistry. There is a huge untapped market potential for this new product as well as current products of CeraMed and I look forward with CeraMed to utilizing the worldwide resources of DENTSPLY to maximize the potential these products and technologies offer." DENTSPLY designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for the dental market. The company believes that it is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of artificial teeth, endodontic Endodontic Pertaining to the inside structures of the tooth, including the dental pulp and tooth root, and the periapical tissue surrounding the root. Mentioned in: Root Canal Treatment endodontic instruments and materials, impression materials, prophylaxis paste, dental sealants, ultrasonic scalers and crown and bridge materials; the leading United States manufacturer and distributor of dental x-ray equipment, dental handpieces, dental x-ray film holders and film mounts and a leading United States distributor of dental cutting instruments and dental implants. The company distributes its dental products in over 100 countries under some of the most well-established brand names in the industry. DENTSPLY is committed to the development of innovative, high quality, cost-effective new products for the dental market. CONTACT: DENTSPLY International, York Edward D. Yates, senior VP/CFO, 717/849-4243 |
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