Exactech Introduces New Material, Efficient Approach for Acetabular Reconstruction

Exactech, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXAC), a developer and producer of bone and joint restoration products for hip, knee, shoulder, spine and biologic materials, reported today the first implantations of its new porous metal acetabular system and novel surgical technique designed to improve the initial stability and long-term biological fixation of hip replacement implants.

Andrew Glassman, M.D. at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, and David Covall, M.D. at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Atlanta, GA. performed the first cases and report excellent experience with the new implants and instrumentation.

Significant innovations in porous material, implant and instrumentation designs enhance the Novation® Crown Cup® system for primary, complex primary and revision hip arthroplasties. Exactech’s third generation porous material, InteGrip™, is manufactured with a titanium alloy through a unique manufacturing method known as Electron Beam Melting. Exactech is the first U.S. orthopaedic device company to offer FDA-cleared orthopaedic implants manufactured through this proprietary process.

Nearly all industry solutions for hip arthroplasty requiring cup supplementation with an augment have only offered "free-hand” methods for surgical site preparation. The Novation system’s innovative instrumentation offers a precision rasping technique that not only preserves bone but also allows the surgeon to efficiently prepare the augment site and create a stable trial construct that mimics the final implant stability.

"Augment site preparation is usually more difficult than this,” Dr. Glassman said, speaking to the simplicity of the technique. During the surgery, Glassman noted that the scratch-fit and stability felt as good as the tantalum cup commonly used for complex and primary revision surgeries.

Dr. Covall reported that he was able to provide his patient solid implant fixation despite the patient’s poor bone quality. Covall also suggested that the simplified technique may provide a safer, more bone-preserving method of achieving implant stability, compared to the alternative practice of using large acetabular implants and allows the surgeon to more accurately replicate the natural hip center location.

Exactech officials report that the initial launch of the new system, featuring acetabular cups and augments, is underway in the U.S., with full, global market availability ramping up through 2012.

About Exactech

Based in Gainesville, Fla., Exactech develops and markets orthopaedic implant devices, related surgical instruments and biologic materials and services to hospitals and physicians. The company manufactures many of its orthopaedic devices at its Gainesville facility. Exactech’s orthopaedic products are used in the restoration of bones and joints that have deteriorated as a result of injury or diseases such as arthritis. Exactech markets its products in the United States, in addition to more than 30 markets in Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific. Additional information about Exactech, Inc. can be found at http://www.exac.com. Copies of Exactech’s press releases, SEC filings, current price quotes and other valuable information for investors may be found at http://www.exac.com and http://www.hawkassociates.com.

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This release contains various 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, which represent the company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events of the company’s financial performance. These forward-looking statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the effect of competitive pricing, the company’s dependence on the ability of third party manufacturers to produce components on a basis which is cost-effective to the company, market acceptance of the company’s products and the effects of government regulation. Results actually achieved may differ materially from expected results included in these statements.