Feds seek prison for Pa. execs over surgery deaths (Philly.com)
Lawyers seek leniency for ex-Synthes executives (Philly.com)
Synthes Executives plead guilty in connection with illegal clinical trials of Norian bone cement on patients (Philly.com – July 2009)
Synthes and Norian Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, pleaded guilty to charges related to introducing adulterated and misbranded bone cements into interstate commerce and paid fines totaling $23.6 million. Synthes sold Norian to comply with the plea, selling the assets May 24 to Kensey Nash Inc., of Exton, for $22 million. Earlier, in late April, Johnson & Johnson agreed to buy Synthes for $21.3 billion.
The four former executives pleaded guilty in 2009 to one misdemeanor count each for their parts in the scheme to market Norian for off-label use on spines in their roles as corporate officers with the responsibility to prevent such violations. Three patients died over 13 months in 2003 and 2004.