NEWS RELEASE

Industry-Academia Collaborated Microstructure Spine-Fusing Device
Now Covered Under Japanese National Health InsuranceTokyo, Japan, June 1, 2021 --- Teijin Nakashima Medical Co., Ltd., a Teijin Groupcompany that develops, manufactures and distributes artificial joints, spinal devices andtrauma devices, announced today that its 3D printed interbody spacer, a special
microstructure spine-fusing cage that the company developed with support from Tokyo
Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Japan Agency for Medical Research andDevelopment (AMED), as one of the Medical Research and Development Programs
Focused on Technology Transfer: Strategic Promotion of Innovative Research andDevelopment (S-Innovation), has been accepted for reimbursement under Japannational health insurance program as of today following the manufacture and sales
approval that the device received in this April.

3D printed interbody spacer

Image of 3D printed interbody spacer in use

This 3D printed interbody spacer is a spinal cage for treating spinal conditions such as
herniated discs and spondylolisthesis. By fusing it with the vertebral bone, it can replacea surgically removed intervertebral disc to maintain proper height between the vertebral
bodies.
In order to obtain better fusion, the 3D printed interbody spacer designed a special
microstructure for the contact surface between the spinal cage and the vertebral bone.
The microstructure incorporates the metal additive manufacturing technology that is
implemented with a 3D printer. As bone orientation is induced to inside the device,excellent bone fusion can be expected in the early stage of implantation without the useof autogenous bone filling in the cage.
The special microstructure is designed as a tertiary structure to realize induction of boneorientation based on the Bone Quality Evaluation Index Focusing on the Orientation ofBone Tissue proposed by Prof. Takayoshi Nakano, Graduate School of Engineering,Osaka University. Also, Teijin Nakashima Medical accumulated efficacy assessment

data by non-clinical studies including animal experiments and repeatedly improved thedesign of the device under advice based on clinical observations by Dr. Manabu Ito,
Medical Director, National Hospital Organization Hokkaido Medical Center.
Teijin Nakashima Medical will manufacture and sell the 3D printed interbody spacer
after July 2021. Going forward, Teijin Nakashima will explore the possibility to apply thetechnology established through this product development to other spinal devices orartificial joint products with the cooperation of AMED and other organizations
participating in this project.
Existing spinal cages require collecting a patient's own bone as autologous bone andusing it to fill in the cavity of the cage to ensure sufficient bone fusion. To reduce thepatient’s pain and physician’s burden associated with this procedure, there has been astrong demand for an alternative procedure.
In response, Prof. Takao Hanawa, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, TokyoMedical and Dental University (TMDU), launched in 2012 a joint research project toinvestigate possible new devices, including materials for suitable new alloys, methods
for creating functional surfaces and new manufacturing processes. The research was
an industry-academia collaboration involving Osaka University, Tohoku University,
Hokkaido University, Hokkaido Medical Center and Teijin Nakashima Medical with thesupport from AMED's Medical Research and Development Programs Focused on
Technology Transfer: Strategic Promotion of Innovative Research and Development.
The device eventually developed under the project, the 3D printed interbody spacer
was evaluated for its efficacy and safety and finally approved for manufacture and saleby the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare this past April 9.
About the Teijin Group
Teijin (TSE: 3401) is a technology-driven global group offering advanced solutions in thefields of environmental value; safety, security and disaster mitigation; and demographic
change and increased health consciousness. Originally established as Japan's firstrayon manufacturer in 1918, Teijin has evolved into a unique enterprise encompassing
three core business domains: high-performance materials including aramid, carbon
fibers and composites, and also resin and plastic processing, films, polyester fibers andproducts converting; healthcare including pharmaceuticals and home healthcare
equipment for bone/joint, respiratory and cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, nursing
care and pre-symptomatic healthcare; and IT including B2B solutions for medical,
corporate and public systems as well as packaged software and B2C online services for
digital entertainment. Deeply committed to its stakeholders, as expressed in the brandstatement “Human Chemistry, Human Solutions”, Teijin aims to be a company that
supports the society of the future. The group comprises more than 170 companies andemploys some 20,000 people across 20 countries worldwide. Teijin posted consolidated
sales of JPY 836.5 billion (USD 7.7 billion) and total assets of JPY 1,036.4 billion (USD9.5 billion) in the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2021.

About Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
AMED was established in April 2015 to catalyze the process of medical innovation andovercome the barriers between sectors, connecting talented individuals to accelerate
medical research and development. Since then, significant gains in the fight against
many diseases have been made.
Press Contact
Corporate Communications
Teijin Limited
pr@teijin.co.jp
Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU)
Public Relations Office,General Coordination and Secretarial Section
kouhou.adm@tmd.ac.jp