Dental implant maker Nobel Biocare's third-quarter revenues for 2011 were down year over year, but losses narrowed significantly.
For the quarter (end-September 30), the company reported revenues of 128.2 million euros ($177 million U.S.), down from 131.7 million euros ($182 million). Net loss for the quarter was 2.2 million euros ($3 million), compared with a loss of 17.8 million euros ($24.5 million) for the same quarter a year ago.
"Our implant system sales are slightly positive, driven by the strong growth of NobelActive," stated CEO Richard Laube in a press release. "We have successfully launched our new implants in the NobelReplace and NobelActive families. While our NobelProcera high-precision consumables are growing at a double-digit rate, copings continue to decline."
Nobel Biocare said it expects the global dental implant market to grow only moderately, at a low- to mid-single digit pace in 2011, although growth in North America and Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) remains stronger. Based on this expected market development, the company expects its recent financial trend to continue.
