Synthes, Inc. Announces Strong First Quarter 2006 Sales Results: Q1 2006 Sales up 17.4% versus the prior year (in local currency)

Synthes 2006 consolidated sales for the first quarter of $576.4 million represent an increase of 14.6% over the prior year (17.4% in local currency).

Key Figures

Continued growth in all product lines and regions primarily due to successful new product introductions and selling initiatives

All three product lines (Trauma, Spine & CMF) experienced double-digit sales growth for the first quarter of 2006.  Trauma growth was primarily due to the continued expansion of Locking Compression Plate (LCP) products, Trochanteric Fixation Nail (TFN) and the newly introduced Expert Intramedullary Nail system. Spine showed strong growth over a broad range of products including the Interbody Fusion, Anterior Thoracolumbar and Cervical product portfolios. CMF’s continued strong sales growth was primarily due to the global introduction of the Low Profile Neuro System.

Synthes: A leading medical device company

Synthes is a leading global medical device company. We develop, produce and market instruments, implants and biomaterials for the surgical fixation, correction and regeneration of the human skeleton and its soft tissues.

For further information please contact

Peter Fehlmann, Investor Relations, Synthes, Inc.

Phone:   +41 32 720 48 10 ,  Fax:   +41 32 720 48 11

e-mail:   ir.infonoSpam@noSpamsynthes.com