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March 27, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DEPUY SPINE ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH AXIAL BIOTECH Companies Seek Development of First Genetic Test to Predict Progression of Scoliosis RAYNHAM, MA, March 27, 2007 - DePuy Spine, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, announced today a strategic collaboration with Axial Biotech, Inc., a privately held spine company, to develop gene-based prognostic tests for scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine that affects about 6 million people in the U.S., mostly children between the ages of 10 and 15. "Axial Biotech has made great strides in DNA-based technology and together we believe we can bring a product to market that will transform the treatment of scoliosis and help surgeons, for the first time, predict through genetic testing, which cases of scoliosis are likely to progress significantly, to help better determine treatment," said Gary P. Fischetti, President, DePuy Spine. "The goal of such a prognostic tool is to enable targeted early intervention treatments for patients with scoliosis with the aim of significantly advancing patient care. This collaboration fits perfectly with two of DePuy Spine's key areas of strategic focus, complex spinal pathologies and early intervention treatments." In addition, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC), a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, has made an equity investment in Axial Biotech. "We believe that Axial Biotech's prognostic DNA tests can meet a major clinical need facing spine deformity surgeons and their patients today, to pre-symptomatically discriminate between severe and mild scoliosis," said John M. Climaco, CEO, Axial Biotech. "We have already discovered several locations in the human genome associated with scoliosis. DePuy Spine will help us bring this innovative product to the marketplace in the best way possible." According to National Scoliosis Foundation (NSF), about 38,000 people get spinal fusion surgery each year in the U.S. to correct scoliosis and approximately another 30,000 people in the U.S. wear some type of back brace to help stop the progression of the disorder. About Axial Biotech Founded in 2002 by a group of internationally recognized spine surgeons and geneticists, Axial Biotech is the first company to pursue DNA-based pre-symptomatic and prognostic tests for common spinal disorders. Axial is also developing a range of minimally invasive devices for spine surgery. Axial is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. About DePuy Spine DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company, has worked and partnered with leading clinicians, researchers, and thought leaders to develop products to treat spine disorders for over 20 years. The company is committed to advancing the knowledge of all health care professionals and their patients in addressing spinal pathologies. #### |
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