The board of directors of Centerpulse, the former Sulzer Medica, has decided that the company will focus on its core activities of orthopedic, spine and dental implants and biologics. The company therefore plans to divest itself of its cardiac and vascular divisions and has contracted the Lehman Brothers investment bank to assist in this endeavor.

The two Centerpulse divisions to be sold include the business segments of mechanical and tissue heart valves and products for the treatment of vascular obstructions and diseases. The development of both these divisions has been very positive in the past.

The board nonetheless decided on this step to give greater focus to Centerpulse's business activities. The executive committee is confident that the 960 staff of the two divisions will continue to perform at an outstanding level during the sale process.

Once the process is complete, the company will focus on its core businesses of hip and knee implants (Orthopedics Division), spine implants and instrumentation (Spine-Tech Division), dental implants (Dental Division) and biologics (Biologics Division).

Centerpulse will not comment on any potential timing or any other aspects of the process until a transaction is announced.