Memometal Technologies announces acquisition of ABS' OrthoGlide Ankle Technology

Feb 23 2010

Memometal Technologies S.A., a global extremity orthopaedic manufacturer headquartered in France, announced today that it has completed the acquisition of all the assets of Advanced Bio-Surfaces (ABS) Corporation’s OrthoGlide^® Ankle Technology.

“OrthoGlide Ankle Technology represents a new option for foot and ankle surgeons”

“OrthoGlide Ankle Technology represents a new option for foot and ankle surgeons,” said Alan Taylor, General Manager of Memometal Technologies’ U.S. subsidiary, MMI-USA of Memphis. “This technology and intellectual property will produce an implant similar to the unicompartmental knee; it can be used as a less invasive treatment for the ankle patient who might otherwise be offered a total ankle replacement or fusion.”

MMI estimates the number of U.S. patients who could benefit from this implant to be as many as 25,000 per year. “The market is growing for viable ankle implants, and there are still questions as to the benefits of a total ankle replacement versus fusion surgery. Our less invasive ankle implant will be a mid- to moderate intervention device that may reduce the need for a later fusion or total ankle replacement,” according to Dougal Bendjaballah, Memometal Technologies’ co-founder.

“The intellectual property involved in this acquisition includes both patents and perpetual licenses in the U.S. and worldwide. It is exciting to have the opportunity to be first with this type of implant, and at the same time, ensure patent protection for our work,” said Bernard Prandi, Memometal Technologies’ co-founder.

The OrthoGlide Ankle Technology joins Memometal Technologies’ leading portfolio of foot and ankle products, including: the Smart Toe^® Hammertoe Implant, the Anchorage^® Plating System, the Easy Clip^® Fusion System, the MemoStep™ Fixator, and the X-Fuse^® IP Fusion System.