Dental News Roundup November 2010
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, NOVEMBER 30, 2010
Earnings
Sirona reported F4Q:10 revenues of $182.9 million, up 5% over the year-ago period and missing estimates by $3.2 million. Chairman and CEO Jost Fischer said, "Despite continued global economic uncertainty, we are pleased with the strong demand we are seeing for our technologically advanced product range . . . We currently expect robust constant currency revenue growth in the first quarter." Net income for the quarter was $24.7 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, compared to $26.7 million, or $0.48 per diluted share in F4Q:09. Analysts had forecast EPS of $0.55.
M&A
AstraZeneca reportedly hired JPMorgan Chase to help it sell Astra Tech, a medical device manufacturer based in Sweden. In addition to a urology portfolio, the company has a dental implant division. The company recorded $506.0 million in sales in 2009, and they are hoping to sell the unit for around $2 billion, or just under four times trailing revenues.
Funding
Nobel Biocare extended its existing EUR 330.0 million ($437.0 million) committed syndicated banking facility for five years. The company noted that the new facility offers improved terms and was done with the same six international banks as the original line.
Regulatory
Align Technology received a warning letter from the FDA regarding adverse event reporting.
Product Introduction and Update
BioMers, a portfolio company of Nanostart AG, launched the SimpliClear Full orthodontic system in Singapore. The company describes the system as completely translucent dental braces that can be used to "treat patients even with severe misalignment of teeth." They plan to introduce the system in other Asian countries, Europe and the U.S. Earlier this year the company launched SimpliClear Express for use in "limited" cases, including orthodontic relapses or mild misalignments involving the front anterior teeth.
Clinical
The New York Times published an article on the use of cone-beam scanners in pediatric patients. The article questions whether the clinical benefits of the scanners outweigh the increased radiation exposure.
Thanksgiving dinner may wreak havoc on your diet, but not necessarily your teeth: a study out of the University of Rochester found that compounds in cranberries and wine can help stop cavity-forming bacteria.
Collaborations
Nobel Biocare signed a five-year agreement to support the P-I Branemark Institute Bauru in Brazil, which is a non-profit organization that treats patients with missing teeth and maxillofacial defects. Nobel has been involved with the organization since 2005 and will provide about EUR 2.5 million ($3.3 million) to fund clinical treatment and training sessions.
Vident announced a partnership with the California Center for Advanced Dental Studies. Alongside CCADS, Vident will develop courses that cover topics including restorative aesthetics and shade communication. CCADS is a post-graduate dental education program that offers courses in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
Education
BIOMET 3i introduced a new electronic version of the Journal of Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry. The company says the new site offers expanded content, archives of previous issues and web-exclusive material, such as videos and interviews.
