Professor Joost de Bruijn's Dutch biotech company Progentix Orthobiology B.V. announced today that it has closed an investment agreement with NuVasive, a medical device company focused on developing products for minimally disruptive surgical treatments for the spine. Under the terms of the agreement NuVasive will gain access to Progentix' synthetic bone substitutes designed to accelerate bone healing through a novel micro-structure created by a proprietary manufacturing process.

NuVasive's initial commitment will be $15 million in cash, consisting of a $10 million equity purchase from Progentix shareholders and a $5 million loan used to fund ongoing clinical and regulatory efforts. Upon accomplishment of the complete set of pre-defined development milestones, NuVasive will be obligated to purchase the remaining equity of Progentix for
$45 million, and, upon the achievement of additional milestones and NuVasive's sales success, pay a maximum earn-out of $25 million. In addition, NuVasive obtained exclusive worldwide distribution rights as well as an exclusive option to purchase all of Progentix under certain circumstances.

Joost de Bruijn, PhD, Professor of Biomaterials at the School of Engineering and Materials Science of Queen Mary University of London and chief executive officer of Progentix Orthobiology said: "We are extremely pleased to be working with NuVasive, a company that has built an impressive track record of growth in the spine market by consistently and successfully leveraging innovation. NuVasive's investment allows Progentix to continue developing its unique family of bone graft materials and allows the near term commercialization of these products."

Professor de Bruijn's research at Queen Mary focuses on understanding and unravelling the process of material directed bone induction by this novel family of calcium phosphate synthetic bone substitutes.