Originally Published MX November/December 2004

BUSINESS NEWS

At the end of October, Abbott Laboratories (Abbott Park, IL) announced that it had acquired Spine Next SA (Bordeaux, France), a privately owned manufacturer of orthopedic spinal implant devices. Spine Next's products include a dynamic stabilization device that treats early degenerative disk disease without fusion of the vertebrae, helping patients preserve motion.

Richard A. Gonzalez

Jeffrey Binder

According to Richard A. Gonzalez, president and chief operating officer of Abbott's medical products group, the acquisition is "consistent with our overall strategy of focusing on high-growth, financially attractive, technology-driven areas where significant unmet medical need exists."