Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Officially founded on June 19, 1989, Integra began with two employees and a vision to use collagen based products to regenerate body parts.
In 1992, Integra acquired the Integra artificial skin technology from Marion Laboratories. In 1996, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Integra artificial skin — a collagen matrix designed for the regeneration of skin for victims of third-degree burns. Integra artificial skin was the first regenerative product ever approved by the FDA, which recognized it as one of the year’s “most notable breakthrough devices.” Since then, through acquisitions and new product introductions, Integra has expanded into neurosurgery, orthopedics and medical instruments. Today, Integra has over 2,800 employees and its products are used in more than 100 countries.
Reflecting on the early days of the company, Richard E. Caruso, Ph.D. Integra’s Founder and Chairman, said: “I started Integra because I wanted to help improve patients’ health and I had a dream that, given the right devices, the body could regenerate its own tissues and organs. Under the leadership of Integra’s CEO, Stuart Essig, and with help from our dedicated employees, that dream has come true. Integra is now a well established medical device company involved in a wide variety of complementary businesses. As we celebrate this milestone, I’m very proud of these accomplishments and excited about future opportunities.”
Source: Integra Lifesciences
