MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics (NYSE: SNN; LE: SN) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Devices Advisory Panel recommended conditional approval of the Company's pre-market approval application (PMA) for its Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) technology. The Company submitted a PMA for its BHR technology on July 19, 2004. The conditions recommended by the panel relate to the post marketing trial follow-ups. Smith & Nephew's BHR technology has been used in over 33,000 patients since 1997, and this procedure has demonstrated significant positive clinical endpoints in the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia. The hip resurfacing procedure involves the replacement of the articular surfaces of the femur and acetabulum, leaving the femoral head substantially preserved. The device is intended to relieve hip pain and improve hip function in patients who have adequate bone stock and who wish to lead active lives. "With our unique OXINIUM(TM) technology, the recent introduction of our ceramic-on-ceramic hip and this further step towards approval in the US of our BHR technology, we are confident that Smith & Nephew will possess the broadest and most comprehensive portfolio of orthopaedic bearing surfaces," said David Illingworth. Smith & Nephew acquired Midland Medical Technologies and its principal product, Birmingham Hip Resurfacing in 2004. About us Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the fastest growing global orthopaedics companies. Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The company has over 8,500 employees and operates in 33 countries around the world generating annual sales of $2.3 billion. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and operating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "well-placed," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "target" "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation, claims and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. DATASOURCE: Smith & Nephew plc CONTACT: Liz Hewitt, Group Director Corporate Affairs of Smith & Nephew plc, + 44-207-960-2256

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