Stryker Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Orthovita, Inc. for $3.85 Per Share in Cash

Kalamazoo, Michigan - May 16, 2011- Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) announced today a definitive agreement to acquire Orthovita, Inc. (Nasdaq:VITA), a global developer and manufacturer of orthobiologic and biosurgery products through an all cash tender offer. Orthovita competes in the $5 billion orthobiologics market and is a global leader in synthetic bone grafts with its Vitoss(TM) product offering, and also competes in vertebral augmentation with its Cortoss(TM) product offering. In addition, the company's Biosurgery business manufactures hemostasis products such as Vitagel(TM) which are designed to control intra-operative and post-operative bleeding. Combined, Orthovita's product portfolio achieved sales of $95 million in 2010. The acquisition of Orthovita is highly complementary to Stryker's existing orthobiologics offering, which is currently sold through multiple Stryker divisions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Orthovita shareholders will receive $3.85 for each outstanding Orthovita share of common stock. The value of the transaction is estimated at $316 million, based upon Orthovita's 79 million fully diluted shares outstanding as well as net debt of $12 million.  
"With this acquisition we are meaningfully expanding our orthobiologics product portfolio and strengthening our competitive position in key segments of the Spine, Orthopaedics and Biosurgery markets," said Stephen P. MacMillan, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Stryker. "We believe the collective talent of our sizable sales forces across multiple franchises positions us to build on Orthovita's success and accelerate sales growth."  
The boards of directors at Stryker and Orthovita have approved the transaction, and the board of directors of Orthovita resolved to recommend that Orthovita shareholders tender their shares to Stryker in the tender offer.  In addition, shareholders holding approximately 14.5% of the outstanding shares of Orthovita common stock have entered into agreements with Stryker to support the transaction and to tender their shares in the offer.
The tender offer is scheduled to commence within 10 business days and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2011.  The tender offer is subject to customary closing conditions, including the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of Orthovita common stock on a fully diluted basis and the expiration or termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act waiting period. Following the tender offer, Stryker will acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Orthovita common stock through a second step merger.  Upon closing, the transaction is expected to be neutral to Stryker's 2011 earnings per share excluding acquisition and integration-related charges.
Citi served as Stryker's exclusive financial advisor in connection with this transaction.
Stryker is one of the world's leading medical technology companies and is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals perform their jobs more efficiently while enhancing patient care. The Company offers a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including reconstructive, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. For more information about Stryker, please visit www.stryker.com.