Bacterin to distribute Jeil's LeForte craniomaxillofacial system in the U.S. and Canada

Bacterin International Holdings, Inc. (NYSE Amex: BONE), a leader in the development of revolutionary bone graft material and antimicrobial coatings for medical applications, signed an exclusive agreement with Jeil Medical Corporation for distribution in the U.S. and Canada of Jeil's LeForte System.

The LeForte System is composed of orthopedic implants used in craniomaxillofacial procedures, including trauma and reconstruction, and complements Bacterin's existing expertise and product offerings in the tissue grafting arena. Bacterin is planning a beta-launch of the LeForte System next month followed by a full product release during the second quarter of 2012.

The introduction of these products will expand Bacterin's capabilities to include surgical procedures in the facial area, such as cranial and maxillofacial trauma, orthognathic surgery of the mid-face and mandible, mandibular reconstruction, reconstruction of the chin, and fracture fixation. Bacterin intends to develop a 2nd generation of the LeForte System to include its proprietary antimicrobial coating technology.

To support Bacterin's expanding product portfolio, the company has promoted Nick Navarro to executive vice president of medical devices. Navarro has been with Bacterin more than two years, starting as a sales representative with rapid advancement to a regional vice president.

Navarro began his career with Johnson and Johnson focusing on wound closure. He was then recruited by Wright Medical, a global orthopaedic medical device company, where he became an extremity/foot and ankle specialist. It was in this role where his true passion for promoting hardware to surgeons was developed. Navarro looks forward to bringing his medical device expertise and detailed training style to the sales force and overseeing the launch of the Bacterin LeForte System.