MiMedx Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MDXG), the leading regenerative medicine company utilizing human amniotic tissue and patent-protected processes to develop and market advanced products and therapies for the Wound Care, Surgical, Orthopedic, Spinal, Sports Medicine, Ophthalmic and Dental sectors of healthcare, announced today that it has received a subpoena from the Office of Inspector General ("OIG") of the Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") in connection with a civil investigation into matters primarily related to the Company's sales and marketing activities.
MiMedx intends to cooperate fully with the government in its investigation, and the Company will attempt to expedite the process. MiMedx has already begun the process of producing the responsive documents. To the Company's knowledge, no proceedings have been initiated at this time. The Company cannot predict whether any proceeding might be initiated.
Parker H. Petit, Chairman and CEO, said, "I can assure you that the corporate officers at MiMedx are not aware of anything that would stimulate this investigation. We have continually maintained and improved a robust compliance program. We have been very focused on the thoroughness of our compliance policies and our staff adhering to those policies. For instance, MiMedx employees participate in a thorough training program regarding our policies and the standards that have been established and enforced to assure their understanding and adherence to our compliance programs. Employees may convey anonymously and directly to senior management and our Board of Directors any form of concern, complaint or inquiry related to our compliance programs or other issues. With the significant growth we are experiencing, this has been and continues to be an initiative in which we devote considerable time, attention and resources."
Petit continued, "We are aware of investigations in the wound care market over the past several years, in particular, the ongoing investigation into the sales and marketing practices of Advanced BioHealing ("ABH"), the original manufacturer of Dermagraft®. We anticipated that the ABH investigation could lead to a review of other industry participants, particularly in view of the fact that several industry participants, including MiMedx and some of our competitors, have hired former ABH employees. We screen all of our applicants very carefully. With respect to former ABH applicants, we sought additional input from some former ABH corporate management who joined MiMedx and who were familiar with the suspected violations and the individuals involved. Approximately 18 months ago, we had confirmation of a violation of our compliance policies, and within 24 hours, that individual was terminated."
Petit concluded, "We expect this investigation will confirm that our policies and procedures are working as intended. If any issues are uncovered, we will certainly address them promptly and take steps to ensure future compliance."
Shareholder Call
On Friday, January 2, 2015, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, MiMedx management will host a live broadcast of its conference call with shareholders to present prepared remarks and respond to questions regarding its receipt of the civil subpoena. A listen-only simulcast of the MiMedx Group conference call will be available on-line at the Company's website at www.mimedx.com. A 30-day on-line replay will be available approximately one hour following the conclusion of the live broadcast. The replay can also be found on the Company's website at www.mimedx.com.
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