K2M to Enter German Spine Marketplace
LEESBURG, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–K2M, Inc., the spinal device company developing innovative and simplified solutions for the treatment of complex spine pathologies and procedures, today announced it has entered the German spine market through a distribution arrangement with Smith & Nephew GMBH.
“This announcement furthers K2M’s strategy of bringing its revolutionary portfolio of spine products including the MESA® and DENALI® Spinal Systems, RANGE® Spinal System, SERENGETI® Minimally Invasive Retractor System, CASPIAN™ Spinal System, and the ALEUTIAN® Interbody Systems to the global marketplace,” said Eric Major, CEO and President of K2M. “We feel that a K2M, Inc. and Smith & Nephew GMBH pairing provides the perfect combination of disruptive technology and in-market expertise to best serve the complex and degenerative spinal communities in the German market.”
Mark Augusti, the President of Spine & Biologics at Smith & Nephew stated, “Smith & Nephew is already known in Germany for its innovative surgical spine products and K2M’s exciting range of products will provide our customers with a fully rounded portfolio. These differentiated technologies will allow surgeons to address the most complex of spinal pathologies in addition to their degenerative needs. We look forward to a successful relationship in Germany with K2M beginning in earnest in 2010.”
The announcement marks the latest in a series of important international accomplishments for K2M. Earlier this year, the company received PMDA approval for its MESA Spinal System and began distributing its flagship product in Japan. In addition to announcing the opening of a direct distribution office in the United Kingdom in October, the company also recently entered the Austrian marketplace. These new market launches supplement K2M’s existing international activities in Spain, Mexico, Greece and Australia. “Developing a European base is a clear statement that we are committed to expanding the global availability of our innovative technology and to supporting surgeons treating the most difficult of spinal pathologies,” stated Christian Johnson, K2M’s European Vice President.