Friday, August 11, 2006

Orthofix puts up $333M for Blackstone Medical

Blackstone Medical Inc. has agreed to be acquired by Orthofix International N.V., a Curacao-based orthopedic products conglomerate, for $333 million.

In the last two years, Blackstone has launched 14 new products in the area of spinal surgery. According to officials the Springfield-based company's Trinity Multipotential Cellular Bone Matrix is the only commercially produced "adult stem cell" biologics product for bone growth in the spine.

Blackstone, established in 1996, creates spinal implant and instrument products.

Orthofix International offers a broad line of minimally invasive surgical, as well as nonsurgical, products for the spine, reconstruction and trauma market sectors that address lifelong bone-and-joint health needs of patients of all ages.