CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alphatec Holdings, Inc. , a spinal device company, announced today that M. Ross Simmonds has joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In this position, Mr. Simmonds will provide leadership in sales and marketing and report directly to Ronald G. Hiscock, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“We are delighted to have Ross as a member of the executive team with his 30 year track record of implementing sales and marketing plans, launching new products and building long-term relationships in the spine industry,” said John H. Foster, Executive Chairman. “We are confident that under his leadership Alphatec will achieve sustainable sales growth and maintain its leading position in the market.”
Mr. Simmonds is an experienced executive and spine industry expert. Mr. Simmonds was previously the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, California, responsible for a $1.7 billion operation. From 1989 to 2004, Mr. Simmonds held world wide senior level sales, marketing and distribution development positions at Interpore Cross International, a company that designs, manufactures and markets synthetic bone and tissue products and spinal implant devices. In his most recent position at Interpore, Mr. Simmonds served as Corporate Officer, responsible for strategic sales and marketing planning and selling strategies for various orthopedic products, including spinal implants. Earlier in his career, Mr. Simmonds held various managerial positions in the sales and marketing of orthopedic implants and instruments. Mr. Simmonds received a Bachelors of Science from Louisiana State University.
“It is with great enthusiasm that I am joining Alphatec,” commented Mr. Simmonds, “with its high growth, capable management, an extensive growing portfolio of spinal products and an exceptional world-class manufacturing facility.”
“Also, we are delighted to announce the election of Stephen H. Hochschuler, M.D. to our Board of Directors,” said Mr. Foster. “As Chairman of our Scientific Advisory Board, he has provided us with invaluable technical advice. In his expanded role as a Director, I am confident that Stephen’s countless relationships within the spinal community will significantly enhance the Company.
Dr. Hochschuler is a Co-Founder of the Texas Back Institute and a Founding Member of the Board of Directors of the Spine Arthroplasty Society. He is currently the President of the Society. He has held several top committee positions in the North American Spine Society. Additionally, Dr. Hochschuler is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, one of the Founders of The American Board of Spine Surgery. He has lectured at more than 200 spine-related medical meetings throughout his career. His surgical practice is conducted in Plano, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Hochschuler currently serves on the Scientific and Business Advisory Boards of several spinal device companies.
“I am honored to join Alphatec’s Board of Directors and be part of such an accomplished and experienced team,” said Dr. Hochschuler. “Despite past inquiries I have not accepted previous invitations to join company’s Boards of Directors. I am particularly enthusiastic about the Alphatec team and platform.”
About Alphatec
Alphatec is a medical device company focused on the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of products for the surgical treatment of spine disorders. Alphatec’s principal product offerings are primarily focused on the U.S. spine fusion market, which is estimated to approach $3 billion in 2007, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Alphatec Spine, Inc., and include a variety of spinal implant products and systems comprised of components such as spine screws, spinal spacers, and plates that offer multiple solutions to address patients’ needs. In addition to Alphatec’s U.S. presence, it also participates in the Japanese spine fusion and orthopedic trauma markets through its subsidiary, Alphatec Pacific, Inc. Our mission is to be a values based leader in the spinal device market by providing unmatched service to and taking scientific direction from our surgeon customers. We do so through our unique in-house manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, California that allows us to respond quickly to surgeon needs and to customize innovative products needed for spine fusion surgery.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainty. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward- looking statements. Alphatec cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: Alphatec’s ability to maintain its level of previously reported sales growth, Alphatec’s ability to develop and expand its spine fusion business in the United States and Japan, Alphatec’s ability to expand and maintain a successful sales and marketing organization, continuation of favorable third party payor reimbursement for procedures performed using our products, unanticipated expenses or liabilities or other adverse events affecting cash flow or Alphatec’s ability to achieve profitability, uncertainty of additional funding, uncertainty of success in developing any new products, failure to successfully introduce and develop new products, including products related to license agreements, failure to obtain FDA clearance or approval for particular devices, Alphatec’s ability to compete with other competing products and with emerging new technologies within and outside of spinal fusion, product liability exposure, patent infringement claims and claims related to our intellectual property. Please refer to the risks detailed in Alphatec’s Form S-1 on file with the SEC, as well as the risks detailed from time to time in Alphatec’s SEC reports, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by law.
Contacts: Alphatec Holdings, Inc. Steven Yasbek 760.431.9286 x403 syasbek@alphatecspine.com Noonan Russo Brian Ritchie 212.845.4269 brian.ritchie@eurorscg.com
Alphatec Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Steven Yasbek, Alphatec Holdings, Inc., +1-760-431-9286 ext. 403,syasbek@alphatecspine.com; or Brian Ritchie, Noonan Russo, +1-212-845-4269, brian.ritchie@eurorscg.com
