Lifeline Biotechnologies Inc. starts exclusive distribution in North America for Inion Hexalon™, the bioabsorbable ACL/PLC Screw [14.01.2004]

Lifeline Biotechnologies, Inc. signs North American Distribution Agreement with INION Inc. for the exclusive North American distribution of the Hexalon™ Bioabsorbable ACL/PLC Screw.

Reno, Nevada January 12, 2004 Jim Holmes, CEO of Lifeline (OTC Symbol LBTT) today announced that Lifeline has signed an exclusive North American distribution agreement with Inion Inc. to distribute their Hexalon™ bioabsorbable ACL/PLC Screws and accessories to the orthopedic market.

The overall ACL/PCL fixation market for implants is estimated to be approximately $72 million in 2004. Interference screws are used in approximately 250,000 ACL/PCL repairs preformed in the US. This use makes up approximately 54% of the fixation market. Lifeline feels that with the design and strength advantages the Hexalon™ offers, their distribution network should be able to make an impact in the market, according to Jonathan Reeves, Lifeline Vice President of Operations.

Reeves commented further “Surgeons want to eliminate the use of metal in joints. The Inion Hexalon™ screw advantage is a combination of the resorbable biocompatibility with an operational performance equal to that of titanium. These unique characteristics are coupled with excellent visibility in the surgical field and an optimal self-tapping thread design for both bone to bone and hamstring graft fixations that will not damage grafts. These attributes place the Hexalon™ screw in a class of its own.”

The marketing and sales strategies to introduce the Inion Hexalon™ product line are currently underway. Lifeline’s network of distributors and sales representatives are excited about the potential of this product in the market. The addition of the Inion Product line fits perfectly into Lifeline’s sales efforts in orthopedic surgery. Many the distributors in the Lifeline’s distribution network have been responsible for the introduction of new products and surgical concepts, which have become standards of practice in orthopedic surgery today.

"We are pleased to announce this strategic distribution agreement with Lifeline Biotechnologies said Kent Williams General Manager of Inion Inc. " We are confident in their ability to penetrate the U.S. and Canadian orthopedic sports medicine market with our Hexalon™ ACL bioabsorbable screw."

A joint product launch will take place at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in March 2004. However Lifeline’s will begin its sales effort immediately as well as showing the product at the end of January at the Bob Metcalf Arthroscopic Surgery Conference and the American Association of Ambulatory Surgery Centers meeting at the beginning of March.

Dr. Wm. Reeves Lifeline’s founder and president commented “We are excited about this new product line because it allows us to introduce a product that has no peers because of Inion’s leadership in developing superior polymers with superior surgical expertise. We are pleased that Inion has selected Lifeline to represent this product line considering Inion choose a company such as Stryker Sales Corporation to handle its Crano-Maxillofacial implants in North America.”

Inion Ltd.
Lääkärinkatu 2
FIN 33520 Tampere, Finland
Tel: +358-3-2306600 Fax: +358-3-2306601
Web site: www.inion.com
Contact:auvo.kaikkonen@inion.com, CEO Inion Ltd.


Inion Inc.
800 Research Parkway, Suite 380
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Tel:(405)236-0017, toll-free: (866-Inion-US)
Fax: (405)236-0634, toll-free: (866-Inion-Bio)
Contact:kent.williams@inion.com, GM Inion USA

About Inion Ltd: Inion Ltd. was founded in Tampere, Finland in 1999 by a multidisciplinary, multinational team of international experts in biodegradable materials and their processing together with related clinical applications. Today the company operates from a state-of-the-art production and research facility in Tampere, Finland and has US corporate headquarters in Oklahoma City, OK employing 75 people. Other Inion products include biodegradable dental, orthopaedic trauma and sports medicine devices marketed globally through distributors and direct sales personnel.