Press
Releases
SMALL BONE INNOVATIONS,
INC. SECURES $30MM CREDIT FACILITY
- Supports a more rapid worldwide
S.T.A.R.® total ankle replacement system roll-out
than previously planned
- Supports expansion of core business
and planned introduction of new products and product enhancemensts
in 2010
- Company to expand clinical studies
of top products
- Refinances existing indebtedness
NEW
YORK, NY: December 14, 2009 - Small Bone Innovations,
Inc. (SBi), a leading, privately held orthopedics company
focused exclusively on technologies and treatments for the
small bones & joints, has closed on a $30mm credit facility
to fund accelerated business expansion and refinance existing
indebtedness. The senior, secured credit facility was provided
by Drawbridge Special Opportunities Fund, a fund managed by
an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group, a global investment
management firm headquartered in New York City.
The credit facility has allowed SBi to fully repay approximately
$13 million of its existing debt and will enable the company
to build-upon its core business by funding the introduction
in 2010 of several new products and improved versions of existing
products for both the upper and lower limb anatomies. The
company said it also plans to build-out instrument sets to
further support its product portfolio. The funding will also
support SBi’s focus on evidence-based medicine, by developing
and initiating several studies to better support the clinical
understanding of its product portfolio.
“Since the FDA-approved ‘Indications for Use’
demonstrating S.T.A.R.® as superior in efficacy
and comparable in safety to ankle fusion, and our U.S. introduction
of the S.T.A.R.® ankle earlier this year, demand
for uncemented total ankle replacement systems in both domestic
and overseas markets has exceeded our sales plan,” said
Anthony G. Viscogliosi, Chairman & CEO of SBi. “Consequently,
SBi intends to accelerate manufacture of both implants and
instrument sets by bringing forward capital investment in
the S.T.A.R.® system and expanding its surgeon
education and training programs.
“Furthermore, these developments are expected to have
a favorable corollary effect on the funding of several other
product introductions and enhancements planned for 2010. Obviously,
these events are highly encouraging for our business during
this period of an extremely weak global economy and uncertainty
in all aspects of health care in the U.S.,” Mr. Viscogliosi
added.
Helmut D. Link and the investor group of Link America, Inc.
made an equity investment in SBi in conjunction with the closing
of this credit facility. Mr. Link said: “Under the leadership
of Mr. Viscogliosi and all of the team at SBi, I am confident
that the S.T.A.R.® ankle can realize its full
potential and change the standard of care from fusion to total
joint replacement, as we had envisioned when we developed
this product for FDA approval and sale in the U.S.”
Mr. Link added: “Under SBi ownership the S.T.A.R.®
can become the centerpiece of the company’s lower limb
product portfolio and it enhances sales opportunities for
the entire SBi product portfolio. I am very pleased and highly
encouraged with the market response following the FDA PMA
approval of S.T.A.R.® and foresee the case
for further rapid expansion.
“Additionally, I believe that SBi’s surgeon education
and training programs are thorough and well executed. For
the above reasons, the Link America investor group and I have
decided to make an investment in the company.” he concluded.
About Small Bone Innovations, Inc.
Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi) was founded in 2004 by
Viscogliosi Brothers, LLC, (VB), a New York-based merchant
banking firm that specializes in the musculoskeletal/orthopedics
sector. VB created SBi as the first company to focus purely
on small bones & joints. By integrating established companies
and professionals in the field, SBi offers a broad, clinically
proven portfolio of products and technologies to treat trauma
and diseases in small bones & joints. Today, SBi has facilities
in New York, NY, Morrisville, PA, Bourg-en-Bresse, France,
Donaueschingen, Germany, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, among
other locations worldwide.
For more information on SBi, please visit: www.totalsmallbone.com
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined
in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially
from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as
a result of risks and uncertainties impacting SBi’s
business including increased competition; the ability of SBi
to expand its operations and to attract and retain qualified
professionals; technological obsolescence; general economic
conditions; and other risks.
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