BMET Biomet (MM)

Biomet, Inc. (NASDAQ:BMET) announced today that Biomet Orthopedics recently held its 19th Oxford� Partial Knee training course in the United States, with 2,000 domestic surgeons having completed the training, to date. Trained surgeons receive access to the market-leading Oxford� Partial Knee with its published long-term clinical results of 98% success at 10 years1 follow-up, a 95% success rate at 15 years2 and 92% success reported at 20 years3. The Oxford� Partial Knee, with its free-floating meniscal bearing design, is the only true mobile bearing partial knee available in the United States. The Oxford� Knee has been implanted in patients outside the United States since 1976, but was first introduced to the domestic market as the Oxford� Unicompartmental Knee System during October 2004 after Biomet obtained pre-market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier that year. The primary advantages of the Oxford� Partial Knee include 75% less bone removal, less postoperative pain and more natural motion than a total knee replacement.4, 5 In addition, the Oxford� Knee may be implanted utilizing a minimally invasive procedure that is designed to allow for a more rapid recovery. One of every four osteoarthritic knees may potentially be treated conservatively with the Oxford� Partial Knee.1 The training sessions, which are staffed by Oxford University designing surgeons along with faculty in the United States, provide surgeons with practical hands-on experience to learn the Oxford� Partial Knee surgical technique utilizing the patented instrumentation system. The surgical technique includes preservation of the anterior cruciate ligament in order to maintain joint stability and natural motion. Biomet�s President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Binder stated, �Biomet is honored to work with these exceptional faculty members who are passionate about the Oxford� Partial Knee and the benefits it provides to patients. In addition, we are pleased to offer this training to the many talented surgeons who are making the commitment to attend these high-level courses.� Mr. Binder continued, �We are excited about the phenomenal market acceptance the Oxford� Knee is receiving in the United States, as we celebrate the Oxford� System�s 30 years of excellent clinical success outside the United States. Importantly, the Oxford� Partial Knee is the most widely used and clinically proven partial knee system in the world, producing long-term survivorship results that equal those of the most successful total knee replacements.� 1Murray D.W., Goodfellow J.W., O'Connor J.J. The Oxford� medial unicompartmental arthroplasty: a ten-year survival study. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British). 80(6): 983-989, 1998. 2Price A.J., Svard U. The Oxford� Medial Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Fifteen-Year Survival Results From an independent series B.O.A. Meeting 2000, London 3Price, A., Svard U. 20-year survival & 10 year clinical results of the Oxford� medical UKA. In: Proceedings of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 22-26, 2006: Chicago, Ill.538. 4Data on file at Biomet. 5Kim, K.T. et al. Prospective Analysis of Oxford� Phase 3 Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 30(5 Suppl): 15-18, 2007. Oxford� is a trademark of Biomet Manufacturing Corp. About Biomet Biomet, Inc. and its subsidiaries design manufacture and market products used primarily by musculoskeletal medical specialists in both surgical and non-surgical therapy. Biomet�s product portfolio encompasses reconstructive products, including orthopedic joint replacement devices, bone cements and accessories, autologous therapies and dental reconstructive implants; fixation products, including electrical bone growth stimulators, internal and external orthopedic fixation devices, craniomaxillofacial implants and bone substitute materials; spinal products, including spinal stimulation devices, spinal hardware and orthobiologics; and other products, such as arthroscopy products and softgoods and bracing products. Headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, Biomet and its subsidiaries currently distribute products in more than 100 countries. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that are �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from actual future experience involving any one or more of such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include our ability to develop and market new products and technologies in a timely manner, the effect of the pending merger on Biomet�s business and its relationship with customers, distributors, employees and suppliers and the risk factors as set forth from time to time in Biomet�s filings with the SEC. The inclusion of a forward-looking statement herein should not be regarded as a representation by Biomet that Biomet�s objectives will be achieved. Biomet undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information contact Daniel P. Florin, Senior Vice President, Biomet and Chief Financial Officer at (574) 372-1687, Greg W. Sasso, Senior Vice President, Biomet and President SBU Operations at (574) 372-1528 or Barbara Goslee, Director, Corporate Communications at (574) 372-1514.