Integra LifeSciences Celebrates 20th Anniversary
PLAINSBORO, N.J., Jun 19, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Officially founded on June 19, 1989, Integra began with two employees and a vision to use collagen based products to regenerate body parts.
In 1992, Integra acquired the Integra artificial skin technology from Marion Laboratories. In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Integra artificial skin -- a collagen matrix designed for the regeneration of skin for victims of third-degree burns. Integra artificial skin was the first regenerative product ever approved by the FDA, which recognized it as one of the year's "most notable breakthrough devices." Since then, through acquisitions and new product introductions, Integra has expanded into neurosurgery, orthopedics and medical instruments. Today, Integra has over 2,800 employees and its products are used in more than 100 countries.
Reflecting on the early days of the company, Richard E. Caruso, Ph.D. Integra's Founder and Chairman, said: "I started Integra because I wanted to help improve patients' health and I had a dream that, given the right devices, the body could regenerate its own tissues and organs. Under the leadership of Integra's CEO, Stuart Essig, and with help from our dedicated employees, that dream has come true. Integra is now a well established medical device company involved in a wide variety of complementary businesses. As we celebrate this milestone, I'm very proud of these accomplishments and excited about future opportunities."
About Integra LifeSciences
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a world leader in regenerative medicine, is a global medical device company dedicated to improving the quality of life for millions of patients every year. Our products are used primarily in neurosurgery, orthopedics and general surgery. Headquartered in Plainsboro, New Jersey, Integra has research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. For more information, visit www.Integra-LS.com
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors identified under the heading "Risk Factors" included in section IA of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission could affect actual results.
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SOURCE: Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation
Gianna Sabella, Director of Corporate Communications
(609) 936-2389
gsabella@Integra-LS.com
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