Exactech Announces Successful First Surgery With Vantage Total Ankle Mobile Bearing System

GAINESVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exactech, Inc. (Nasdaq:EXAC), a developer and producer of bone and joint restoration products for extremities, hip, and knee, announced today the successful first surgery using its new Vantage® Total Ankle Mobile Bearing System, the newest addition to the Exactech extremities product line.

Orthopaedic surgeon and Vantage Ankle design team member Professor Victor Valderrabano, MD, PhD, chairman of the Swiss Ortho Center Basel, recently performed the first case in the world with the mobile, three-component implant in Switzerland. “It was a momentous occasion to have performed the first Vantage Ankle mobile bearing surgery, and we were pleased with the implants’ streamlined technique, practical instrumentation and thoughtfully designed implants,” Valderrabano said.

In addition to performing the ankle replacement, Valderrabano had to correct an ankle deformity through fibular lengthening and calcaneal osteotomies. “This case had an added layer of complexity since the patient was in valgus, but after the deformity correction, we were able to move forward with the replacement,” Valderrabano said.

Exactech Vice President of Extremities Marketing Darin Johnson said, “This year has been an incredible one of exciting milestones and increasing momentum for our total ankle initiative. This first mobile bearing total ankle surgery is the latest success and represents an important expansion of our Vantage Ankle brand. Dr. Valderrabano’s successful surgery also represents the first time our total ankle products have helped a patient outside the U.S., which is impactful on multiple fronts to our mission. We appreciate Dr. Valderrabano and his meaningful contributions to the team and this implant, in particular.”

The ankle system represents years of collaboration among Exactech, Valderrabano and a design team at the orthopaedic department of Duke University in Durham, N.C. Mark Easley, MD; James Nunley, MD; and James DeOrio, MD, have already implanted a large number of the fixed bearing version of the Vantage Ankle.

The Vantage Ankle Mobile-Bearing System received CE approval in Europe, and full European market availability is slated for 2018. The Vantage Ankle Mobile Bearing System is not available for sale in the U.S.

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 can be found at http://www.exac.com.

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.

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