ALACHUA, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–RTI Biologics Inc. (RTI) (Nasdaq: RTIX), the Florida-based processor of orthopedic, dental, hernia and other biologic implants, announced today the addition of Christie Blakely and Michael LaPrade as vice presidents of the company.
“Mike’s expertise in assessing competitive markets and new business opportunities, as well as managing product development, will be key for our fast-growing surgical specialties business”
Blakely has joined RTI as vice president of sports medicine marketing. Her role is to oversee all aspects of the company’s sports medicine marketing, including developing strategic plans for the franchise and directing the priorities of product development. Prior to joining RTI, Blakely spent more than five years at Zimmer Inc., including serving as director of relationship management and surgeon communications, director of U.S. regional marketing for hips and director of global marketing for hips. Previous to her time at Zimmer, Blakely oversaw the hip portfolio at Exactech Inc. Her experience also includes sales and product management at Smith & Nephew. Blakely earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in sales and marketing and a master’s degree in business administration, both from the University of Memphis in Tennessee.
“Christie’s experience in marketing, product development and surgeon relationships will be very valuable to our sports medicine franchise,” said Brian K. Hutchison, chairman and CEO of RTI. “We are committed to growing our sports medicine business to be the largest segment in the company, and we are investing resources accordingly. With Christie’s focus on the marketing and product development side of the sports medicine business, Rod Allen, our vice president of sports medicine distribution can focus on our expanding direct distribution force and getting our best-in-class biologic portfolio to the surgeons that need them.”
LaPrade joined RTI as vice president of surgical specialties, overseeing business and product development for one for the fastest growing areas of the company. LaPrade has more than 16 years experience in sales and marketing for pharmaceutical, medical equipment and medical device companies such as TYCO Healthcare, Boston Scientific and most recently, Gambro Renal Products. Prior to joining RTI, LaPrade served more than two years as vice president of Americas marketing for Gambro’s intensive care division. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing at Bryant University in Rhode Island.
“Mike’s expertise in assessing competitive markets and new business opportunities, as well as managing product development, will be key for our fast-growing surgical specialties business,” Hutchison said. “There are many opportunities for us to provide sterile biologic solutions for surgeons and their patients with our surgical specialties portfolio. Mike and his team will be focused on seeking out those opportunities and continuing to foster the growth of this business.”
About RTI Biologics Inc.
RTI Biologics Inc. is the leading provider of sterile biological implants for surgeries around the world with a commitment to advancing science, safety and innovation. RTI prepares human donated tissue and bovine tissue for transplantation through extensive testing and screening, precision shaping and proprietary, validated sterilization processes. These allograft and xenograft implants are used in orthopedic, dental, hernia and other specialty surgeries.
RTI’s innovations continuously raise the bar of science and safety for biologics – from being the first company to offer precision-tooled bone implants and assembled technology to maximize each gift of donation, to inventing validated sterilization processes that include viral inactivation steps. Two such processes – the BioCleanse® Tissue Sterilization Processand the Tutoplast® Tissue Sterilization Process – have a combined record of more than two million implants distributed with zero incidence of allograft-associated infection. These processes have been validated by tissue type to inactivate or remove viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores from the tissue while maintaining biocompatibility and functionality.
RTI’s worldwide corporate headquarters are located in Alachua, Fla., with international locations in Neunkirchen, Germany, and Aix-en-Provence, France. The company is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks in the United States.
Forward Looking Statement
This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, our management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by our management. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, except for historical information, any statements made in this communication about anticipated financial results, growth rates, new product introductions, future operational improvements and results or regulatory approvals or changes to agreements with distributors also are forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks described in public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commissions (SEC). Our actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results reflected in these forward-looking statements. Copies of the company’s SEC filings may be obtained by contacting the company or the SEC or by visiting RTI’s Web site at www.rtix.com or the SEC’s Web site at www.sec.gov.
