U.S. Patent Office confirms validity of Osteotech's U.S. patent on mixtures of a radiolucent material

Osteotech, Inc. has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has confirmed the validity of its U.S. Patent No. 5,676,146.

The '146 patent covers mixtures of a radiolucent material, such as demineralized bone, with a radiopaque material, such as nondemineralized or partially demineralized bone, that is provided in sufficient quantity to be used as a radiographic marker. The Patent Office's reexamination certificate also includes four new claims.

"We are pleased that the United States Patent Office has confirmed the validity of our '146 patent," said Sam Owusu-Akyaw, Osteotech's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The '146 patent is an important part of our strategic vision providing patent protection for certain of our current Grafton(R) DBM products and for our next generation DBM products currently under development. It is our patent protection that allows us to make the investments necessary to continue to develop superior products for the medical community and patient care."

Osteotech, Inc., headquartered in Eatontown, New Jersey, is a global leader in providing OsteoBiologic solutions for regenerative medicine to support surgeons and their patients in the repair of the musculoskeletal system through the development of innovative therapy-driven products that alleviate pain, promote biologic healing and restore function. For further information regarding Osteotech, this press release or the conference call, please go to Osteotech's website at www.osteotech.com.