The Complete List of Spine Startups
183 and counting
< updated Sep 4, 2010 >
MOST RECENT ADDITIONS
THE ALPHABETICAL LIST
3Cor Medical, Inc. (Redwood City, CA)Distraction screws for plating and interbody fusions, founded in 2002
[ACQUIRED]
Abbott Spine (Austin) (fka Spinal Concepts) acquired by Abbott Labs for $160M, then Abbott acquired SpineNext (France), then Abbott sold both spine companies to Zimmer for $360M, non-fusion Wallis system, ISD cervical disc replacement made of elastomer core in woven cover, owns an interest in Replication Medical’s hydrogel nucleus, 210 employees in Austin
Acme Spine, LLC (CA) 510(k) submissions, but no public information for a few years
Advanced Biologics (Ladera Ranch, CA) biologics products designed for spinal applications, OsteoAMP, OsteoGEN, OsteoMEM.
http://advancedbiologicscorp.com
[ACQUIRED]
Advanced Spine Fixation Systems Inc. (Irvine, CA) early spinal cage implant company started in 1998. Osteoimplant (UK) acquires them in 2003
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
Alphatec Spine (San Diego)HealthPointCapital took them public on 1Jun06 – ATEC, non-excl with Isotis for DynaGraft II, licensed MIS patents from Dr Jackson. Licensed V-Stent (Stout Medical Group) expandable titanium cage for vertebral compression fractures
[ACQUIRED]
Altiva Corp (Charlotte, NC)early 2008 acquired by Exactech for $25M, contour spinal system, some bio DBM, the old S+N Simmons plating system, agreement with Curasan and RTI for OsteoBridge DBM graft, Frazier Healthcare Ventures, implanted 100 ant. buttress plates so far, Craig Corrance
http://www.exac.com/products/spine
Amedica (Salt Lake) Brought a new material to Orthopedics for the first time – Silicon Nitride is a super strong and durable ceramic used in industrial applications, cervical Ceramic-on-ceramic spacer made of Silicon Nitride is FDA approved, four rounds of funding so far, IPO planned late 2007 and pulled back, CEO change from founder, Ashok Khandkar, to Ben Shappley
Amendia (Marietta, GA) Niche spine products including Savannah Pedicle screw/rod system, Phenix interbody cages, and temporarty screws for stereotactic procedures, also a distributor for Spineology’s OptiMesh
Angtrom Medica (Mass) Bio, having trouble finding more funding, no press releases after 2006, some products now sold by Pioneer Surgical
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
Anulex Technologies, Inc (Minnetonka MN) Inclose Surgical Mesh system for annulus repair (510k Sep05), Mike McCormick (CEO), Matt Burns (founder) Exactech pres on board – Dr Petty, 1,200 procedures in 2007, Xclose annular repair, 24 direct reps, $20M raised in Series E
AOI Medical (Orlando) USF incubator, trying to raise $3M, BAMF Spine system will start clinical trials, cement delivery system
Applied Spine Technologies (New Haven) MIS M-Brace, VC De Novo Partners, IDE trial of Stabilimax non-fusion system stopped and started again, Yale partnership, selling Stabilimax in Eu, Craig Corrance replaces Tom Wood at CEO
[FAILED]
Archus Orthopedics (Redmond, WA) abruptly went on life support May 19, 2009, Disolved the company assets Sept 3, 2009, Facet Solutions purchased all of their IP including the TFAS Total Facet trial in US, rec’d CE mark Mar05 for spinal stenosis, JNJ Depuy invested $35M into Archus
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
ArthroCare Spine (Austin)90% growth at $10M/Q, 80 employees, MD wand coblation wand for disc nucleas removal, solid technology should emerge after financial shenanigans are settled
http://www.arthrocarespine.com/
A-Spine (Taiwan) alternative Kyphoplasty technique called Vesselplasty using Vessel-X Bone Filling Container System
Atlas Spine(West Palm Beach) (fka Innovative Spinal Design) plating/screws
http://www.aspine.net/taiwan.html
Axial Biotech (Salt Lake City)scoliosis focus, genetic testing + non-fusion implants, x-Depuy Spine chairman on board
Axiomed Spine Corp (Cleveland) clinical trial of cervical disc
Axis Surgical Technologies (Menlo Park, CA) Funded by BioStarVentures
http://www.biostarventures.com/portfolio.htm
Baxano, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) founded 2005, instrumentation to restore spine function and preserve healthy tissue, $30M in Series C in mid-2010
Benvenue Medical (Mountain View) $15M in Series B from Three Arch, Versant and De Novo, flexible implant for VCFs
[ACQUIRED]
Biorthex (Montreal) Actipore Ti-N porous metal cages, acquired by SBI (equity investment got them exclusive rights to Actipore)
BioSpine LLC (Fort Wayne, IN) vertebral body patents filed, based in the The OrthoVation Center incubator affiliated with Micropulse Inc., a manufacturer of orthopedic implants and surgical instruments
no website
[ACQUIRED]
Blackstone Medical (Springfield, MA)non-fusion Motion Preserving Rods, Orthofix acquired by OFIX for $333 cash
http://www.blackstonemedical.com/
[IP ACQUIRED]
Bonutti TechnologiesDr. Bonutti’s incubator for MIS spine IP, partnering with Stryker, Kyphon, Tyco
http://www.bonuttitechnologies.com/
Cardo Medical, Inc. (Beverly Hills, CA) Cardo Medical was formed in February 2007 when it acquired the assets and operations of Accin Corporation, a product development company founded in 2005, products include reconstructive joint devices and spinal surgical devices - SSP Semi-Constrained Cervical Plate, PSS Pedicle Screw System
Centinel Spine (Minneapolis)startup fka Raymedica from 1990 to 2008, HydraFlex Nucleus Arthroplasty System, disc nucleus, John Viscogliosi, (Chairman/CEO)
[ACQUIRED]
Cervitech (Rockaway, NJ) – Nuvasive acq Apr09, a LINK development company (Germany), Helmut Link is Pres, poly/CoCr disc replacement, no bone grafting products, patient enrollment complete in PCM Artificial Cervical Disc study
Choice Spine (Knoxville, TN) 2007 US startup bringing Eu patents to use for plating, rods, PEEK cages
Clarus Medical (Minneapolis) spinal pain management, a leader in endoscopic minimally-invasive products for the treatment of spinal pain
http://www.clarus-medical.com/
coLign AG (Switzerland) proprietary carbon composite biomaterial, ostaPek, and 15 years of clinical experience with it, latest product is ostaPek LCFRP longitudinal rods, polyaxial screw recently cleared by FDA, mature Eu company that is bring products to the US for the first time
CoreSpine Technologies (Prior Lake, MN) a tissue-selective, articulating, mechanical device used for complete nucleus removal in the spinal disc, Christine Horton (Pres)
Creaspine (France)PEEK interbody spacers, founded in 2003, selling in Eu and looking to sell in US
Crosstrees Medical Inc. (Boulder, CO)developing a minimally-invasive spinal implant for the non-fusion treatment of scoliosis, funded by DeNovo
[LIKELY FAILURE]
Custom Spine (Parsippany, NJ) no compelling technology and changing management, ISSYS Inverted Polyaxial Pedicle Screw System, Lew Bennett takes over as President Jan09, new Board members added in Jul09
Cytori (San Diego, CA) cell re-implantation, developing and commercializing stem and regenerative cell therapies for reconstructive surgery
DFine (Cupertino,CA) bone cement for vertebral Fxs
DiFusion Technologies (Austin, TX)reducing the rising incidence of Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in spinal surgeries, CleanFUZE is an antimicrobial PEEK spinal interbody cage capable of stopping biofilm formation in the bone graft site
[FAILED]
Disc Dynamics (Eden Prairie, MN) After failure to obtain FDA approval for it pivotal study, on Dec 31, 2009 terminated all employees and discontinued clinical studies. Back in 2000, they raised $65M to fund the development of DASCOR, a disc arthroplasty system., $65M in total VC funding, David Stassen was Chairman of Board, longterm CEO Steve Healy resigned, longterm VP Ron Burke was acting as temporary CEO
Disc Motion Technologies (Boca Raton) founded in England, pres is Kelly Smallridge, TrueDisc and TrueDyne, Jud Carlson (x-CEO, now Managing Dir), Andy Greenberg (CEO)
[ACQUIRED]
Discogen (Weston, FL) an emerging medical device co specializing in the development of technologies to treat early disc degeneration, acqd by SpineOvations Dec07
Eden Spine (Orlando, FL) Guillaume Viallaneix X-Scientx marketing, The company acquired the Swiss R&D organization FlexisMed SA and its portfolio of dynamic technologies. In 2007 FlexisMed SA changed its name to become Eden Spine Europe SA positioned in Europe as Eden Spine’s wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to motion preservation
Eminent Spine (Leander, TX) 510(k) clearance for spine plating system, all products are named after snakes
[ACQUIRED]
Endius (Plainville, MA) Zimmer acquired 2007, MIS, Founded in 1997, Atavi®, the Atraumatic Spine Surgery System, which obtained FDA clearance of its 510(k) in October 2000, is currently being utilized in hospitals nationwide. Atavi is the only fully integrated system that enables surgeons to perform lumbar spine surgery minimally invasively, with one access portal, while preserving the fundamentals of the traditional open surgical technique.
Expanding Orthopedics (Caesarea, Israel) founded in 2001 by Dr. Mark Levy, an orthopaedic surgeon whose vision is to develop devices which focus on simplicity of use, investors include Opal Ventures, MD Venture Partners, and Triathalon Medical Ventures, technology includes pedicle screws with molly bolt like expansion to improve screw fixation in poor quality bone for patients undergoing thoraco-lumbar fusion surgery
Expandis (Israel) starting clinical trials for spinal fractures on a MIS implant that uses a scaffolding and glue combination, product name is Bidex
Facet Solutions (Boston) anatomic facet arthroplasty, strong patents, IDE approval, clinical trial start late 2008, FDA clearance target 2011-2013
http://www.facetsolutions.com/
FlexSpine (Singapore) $13M spinoff from SpineVision in Atlanta, dynamic stabilization, launched FLEXPlus in Eu
Flexuspine (Pittsburg)$9M in Series B including Warburg money, Erik Wagner/Vin Jannety’s new startup after founding Spinal Concepts, gotta love the website
Gentis Inc (Philadelphia) U of Penn spin out, DiscCell in-situ polymerizing spinal nucleus augmentation technology, Pivotal trial start 2009?, $10M in A round, DiscCell pilot in Brazil May06
Genysys Spine (Austin, TX) Founded in 2010, 510(k) clearance for TiLock Pedicle Screw, President is Josh Kaufman. Mentioned in article… Austin filled with ‘spine’ startups
[LIKELY SUCESS]
Globus Medical (Phoenixville, PA) from $16M to $44M sales 2005 to $130M in 2007 to $200M in 2009, >1% share of all spine, posterior stabilization system launched, trying to raise $10M, $110M in series E so far
Gold Standard Orthopaedics (Louisville, KY) 510K for GSI implant
Highgate Orthopedics (Boston)startup focus is 2nd generation fusion and disc replacements, founded by Spray Ventures in Boston
http://www.spraypartners.com/port_ortho.html
Hoogland Spine (Germany) cervical disc prothesis, maxMorespine Spinal System
http://www.hoogland-spine.com/
[FAILED]
Hydrocision (Billerica, MA) Fluidjet devices for open/MIS spine procedures including fusion, discectomy, artificial nucleus, and disc procedures, HydroDiscectomy
IB Medical LLC (Longmont, CA) static compression device technology in spine surgery, patent filed
Impliant Ltd (Israel) no-fusion TOPS system is a polymer posterior shock absorber, early 1-yr success in clinicals in Eu
[FAILED]
Inion (Finland) went on life support March 26, 2009, Inion laid off employees, delisted from London Stock Exchange (LSE: IIN.L), selling off assets. At one time Inion was a promising trauma company with resorbable bone plates. Stryker distributed their implants in the US, Aesculap and Citagenix distributed OUS. Richard Wolf Medical Instruments distributed resorbable Sports Med products in the US. Inion raised a total of $100M in VC funding.
[ACQUIRED]
InnoSpine acquired by Kyphon for ~$30M
http://devicelink.com/mx/issuesupdate/06/01/Kyphon.html
Innovasis (Salt Lake City) VBRs, plating, allograft, Exella®-M,, Excella-P Spinal System—Dave McKean (Pres), Richard Harris (S&M). Opteryx® Anterior Cervical Plate System for anterior plating C2-C7, $12M sales in 2007, creative distribution where they let the surgeon decide who will carry the product, ISO 13485 certified
[FAILED]
Innovative Spinal Technologies (Boston) BANKRUPT Jan 2009, Assets purchased by Integra LifeSciences for $9.25 in Sept 2009, a total of $75M was raised since it was spun out of Texas Back Institute in 2002, opinion is that a series of poor management decisions lead to its downfall including relocating the company from Dallas to Boston, out-of-control spending and a complete change in their distribution model, Paul Thomas (X-Lifecell CEO) was on the Board
InteliFUSE, Inc. (New Orleans, LA) Nitinol memory-shape staples for spine fusion
Interbody Innovations LLP currently no presence, JD Webb did some regulatory consulting for them
Intralink-Spine (Georgetown, TX) is a company formed to develop, manufacture, market, and sell a tissue modifying reagent that can be injected into the intervertebral disc of the human spine to increase crosslinking in the native collagen matrix. The NEXT device is designed to immediately strengthen and stabilize the disc, reducing disc bulge and pain without the costs and risks associated with surgery. Dr. Hansen Yuan, M.D., a leader in spine surgery, added: “This injectable tissue reinforcement procedure can provide an effective treatment for patients who are either early in the disease process or adverse to surgery.”
http://www.intralink-spine.com
International Spinal Innovations - licensed ALIF patents to Alphatec Spine
Interventional Spine (Irvine,Ca)fka Triage Medical, Teleport MIS instruments, selling off trauma to fund spine, Chip Stevens, weak patents, Series C $24M
Intrinsic Therapeutics (Woburn, MA) 2000 startup, soft tissue focus, Greg Lambrecht, CEO Walter Cuevas, $21M in series D, annulus patch with MIS technique
Ionics Medical Corp (Ether, NC) Levanted Intervertebral Pillar, expandable vertebral body, replacement prothesis
Jemo Spine (Murray, Utah) Delta low profile fusion system
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
K2M (Leesburg, VA) screws, PEEK cages, plans to carry biologics in the future, $21.6M raised, 3Q06 stabilization system to launch, Range spinal system is combination of Denali and Mesa systems
Korea Bone Bank (Seoul, Korea) Korean allograft company, acquires Endotec to add total joints, developing a new rhBMP-2 growth factor to compete with Medtronic’s INFUSE in the US, expects FDA clearance in 2010, Daniel Shim (CEO)
Lanx, Inc. (Broomfield, CO) Surgeon owned, Aspen Spinous Process System is a posterior, non-pedicle supplemental fixation device, intended for use at a single level in the non-cervical spine (T1-S1)
LDR Spine (Austin) Founded in 2000 in France, 1% share of all spine, porous ceramic blocks, IDE start 2006 with Mobi-C Cervical Disc (poly-CoCr) finish IDE around 2008?, www.secondgenerationdisc.com, Christophe Lavigne is CEO, opened office in Bejing, $25M in round C to support Mobi-C trial
[IP ACQUIRED]
LFC Sp Zo.o (Holland)– IP for InSwing interspinous spacer licensed by Orthofix/Blackstone
http://www.blackstonemedical.com/
Life Spine (Hoffman Estates, IL) PEEK interbody, MIS screw system, clearance for dynamic anterior cervical plating, Mike Butler CEO, cleared Neo-SL ant cerv plate
Loukas Medical, Inc (Franksville, WI) Owned by veteran orthopedic instrument designer Jim Rinner, acquired pedical screw patents from Orthopedic Screw, LLC from Launch Medical, LLC of Memphis TN
Macropore Biosurgery – Hydrosorb resorbables distibuted by Medtronic
http://www.macropore.com/index.asp
Magellan Spine (Irvine, CA) Disc Annular Repair Technology (DART)
Magen Medical Solutions (Israel) founded in 2007, developing unique anti-adhesion devices for orthopedic applications, SpineShield, is CE Marked and will be commercially available in the second half of 2010, future products, the TendonShield and NerveShield, will be submitted for regulatory approval in EU during 2010. All products will be submitted for FDA clearance in the future, inventor is Dr. Hamid Sharim, Former Head of the Spinal Surgery Unit at Wolfson Hospital, Israel
Mazor Surgical Technologies (Israel & Atlanta) SpineAssist mini robot that allows surgeons to scroll thru slice by slice, works like mini-GPS in OR
Medical Device Advisory Development Group (CA)
Medicrea (France/NYC) polyaxial screws, established a US subsidiary, company intends to conduct development of Granvia, a dynamic posterior stabilization system, in the U.S. Following FDA clearance, Granvia could launch in 2010
Mekanika (Boca Raton, FL)
Merlot OrthopediX (Cleveland, OH) Founded in 2004, spun out of Cleveland Clinic Foundation in 2005, focused on bone-anchoring plates invented by Izador Lieberman, M.D., of Cleveland Clinic for application in spine and trauma, currently lead by Paul Erikson
MI4 Spine LLC (Bloomfield, MI)16 patents filed for Stem cell enabling device/method, Next Generation Dynamic system, Bone harvesting device for autograft, Cervical Plate and Method, MIS Pedicle Screw, MIS Interspinous Process Spacer and Method
Minimus Spine (Austin, TX) injecting ozone gas into a herniated spinal discs which oxidizes the herniation and allows it to shrink in size, relieves pressure on the nerve and provides the patient relief from pain, Angel investors so far
minSURG TruFUSE posterior fusion system
[ACQUIRED]
N-Spine (San Diego, CA) non-fusion MIS dynamic posterior stabilization fixation called Motion Preserving System, $2M Series A late 05, acqd by Synthes for $75M
http://www.n-spine.com/ (site down)
Nbi Development Inc (San Francisco/Rochester/St. Paul) Neuromodulation, the use of electrical impulses to manage activity in the nervous system, $5.5M raised in 2006
NexGen Spine (Whippany, NJ) spinal implants utilizing elastomeric polymers for non-fusion treatment of disc degeneration, CEO Alastair J.T. Clemow, PhD was past president of the Society for Biomaterials and a member of the society’s Orthopaedic Biomaterials Special Interest Group
Nexxt Spine (Indianapolis, IN) anterior cervicle plates, pedicle screws, Andy Elsbury is Pres
NiCast Ltd (UK) Polymer nanofabrics developer NiCast Ltd. has obtained a three-year €4 million grant from EU Seventh Framework Progamme for Research and Development to head a consortium that will develop a spinal disc product. NiCast will head a group of ten companies and research institutes, and the company’s share of the grant is €600,000.
NovaSpine (Elmsford, NY) no current information
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
Nuvasive (San Diego) – NeoDisc IDE approved, >$100M sales, growing 30% per year, finally profitable
NV Cromed no current information
OrthoData Inc. (Louisville, KY) diagnostic system that allows orthopedic surgeons to monitor the progress of spinal fusion surgeries by reading data from strain gauges on spinal rods, raised $1.1M in Series A, collaboration with University of Louisville
Ortho Development (Draper, UT) weak product line in spine with total joints, weak management with turnover, Japanese ownership
Ortho Kinematics (Austin, TX) diagnostic and imaging startup, KineGraph VMA is a new functional diagnostic test for the spine that uses fluoroscopy to capture the spine in motion pre-operatively, measuring motion between the vertebrae, recipient of a $1.5 million State of Texas Emerging Technology Fund Award, funded by PV LifeSciences
OrthoMEMS, LLC (Menlo Park, CA) measuring the pressure in damaged spinal discs using MEMS and wireless technology
Orthonics, Inc. (Atlanta, GA) cell-based spinal disc repair and spinal cartilage repair, receives funding from Viscogliosi Bros and GRA VentureLab, Steve Kennedy (CEO), Barbara Boyan PhD @ Georgia Tech, no new information
Orthopedic Development Corporation & minSURG (Clearwater)TruFUSE posterior facet fusion procedure limited release 2006, $8M in startup
http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30868784
OrthoTec (Beverly Hills, CA)
OSD – Orthopaedic & Spine Development (Avignon, France) Development and marketing of implants for the spine and orthopaedic fields. OSD is launching only innovative implants with safe operating techniques. In addition to innovative implants, OSD is matching training centers where experienced surgeons are training new users to safe operating techniques.
Osseon Therapeutics (Santa Rosa, CA) incubated at the University of Northern California’s Science and Technology Innovation Center in Santa Rosa, ts first-generation steerable VCF cement products have received both FDA clearance and CE Mark for product distribution in the US and EU, Dr. John Stalcup is CEO
OuroBoros (Pleasanton, CA) developer of an expandable torroidal mesh which circumferentially reinforces the inner surface of the annulus, raised $1.17 million in a planned $4 million first funding round, PE Wire reports, citing a regulatory filing. The deal was led by Ascent Medical Ventures
Paradigm Spine (NY) ownership by Viscogliosi Bros, $14M Series C (2006), $14M in Series D (2007), $21.5M funding (2009), U-shaped Titanium dynamic interspinous non-fusion Coflex system, IDE start 2006, German data presented at SAS May06, funding study in Montreal to find secret to genetic cause of scoliosis, IDE approval for coflex dynamic interspinous implant, IPO planned $16M rev, Chris Hughes is new Pres of US Operations, is the company moving its headquarters to Memphis?
PercuFlex Corp. – need information
[LIKELY FAILURE]
Phygen Spine, LLC (Irvine, CA) fka Allez Spine, name changed to connote “PHYsician GENerated” products, pedicle screw systems and cervical plating systems for use in spine surgery, started by surgeon in Calif in 2003, lawsuit with JNJ over pedicle screw patents Phygen Spine
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
Pioneer Surgical Technology (Marquette, MI & Austin,TX) founded in 1992, plating systems, IDE approval for NUBAC device for disc arthroplasty, $30.5M in new equity Dec06 to support NUBAC trials, acquired Encelle which develops tissue regeneration products including E-Matrix™, a sterile, injectable biopolymer designed to repair or regenerate diseased or damaged tissue, acqd AlpineSpine LowTop Pedicle screw system, Jan07 acq’d Encelle E-Matrix injectable biopolymer, acquired Angstrom Medica, Jeff Millin (CEO)
http://www.pioneersurgical.com/
PNIR, LLC (Waltham, MA) focused on Peripheral Nerve Injury Repair, a joint venture with Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Sys., Inc. and NeuroMetrix, Inc.to develop a therapeutic product for peripheral nerve injury based on Cyberkinetics’ Andara Oscillating Field Stimulator (OFS) neurostimulation technology platform, initial $2M investment by NeuroMetrix
ProSpine Inc (Germany?) – need information
Ranier Technology LTD (UK)polyurethane CAdisc compliant artificial spinal disc for total disc replacement, $7.3M from HealthPointCapital
RE Spine, LLC (NJ) patents filed for intervertebral disc and facet joint prosthesis
Reduction Technologies, Inc (Corte Madera, CA)developing a minimally-invasive spinal implant for the non-fusion treatment of scoliosis, funded by DeNovo
http://reductiontechnologies.com
Relievant Medsystems (Redwood City, CA) raises $20M to develop Intracept System to treat low back pain
Replication Medical (New Brunswick, NJ)hydrogel nucleus, Abbott Spine funded $15M
http://replicationmedical.com/
RSB Spine (Cleveland, OH) founded in 2001, formerly known as R&B Surgical Solutions, LLC. first-generation steerable VCF cement products have received both FDA clearance and CE Mark for product distribution in the US and EU, products include InterPlate Vertebral Body Replacement System, a spinal implant that is designed to facilitate spinal fusion process and is used in conjunction with graft material to fuse two or more vertebrae together, Dr. John Stalcup is CEO
Sanacor (Pleasant Grove, UT) Founded in 2004, small product line, nothing too innovative looking, cervical plates, pedicle screws, interbody cages
[ACQUIRED]
Scient’X (France, Lakeland FL, & Philly) Alphatec Spine (HealthPointCapital) acquired 100% in early 2010 and will move most operations to San Diego, Isobar TTL semi-rigid rod system, 1,000 Discovery Cervical Discs implanted in trials, Scient’x has been a pioneer in the promising field of motion preservation for more than 15 years and has been the first company to get approval for a dynamic implant on the US market. Scient’x leadership in dynamic systems -Dos, Twinflex, Isobar TTL and Aladyn.
Scorpion Surgical Technologies (Israel) Interlocking Curved Nail System for spinal stabilization surgeries, unique spinal anchoring concept for dynamic stabilization and fusion, pre-clinical testing only
http://www.scorpionsurgical.com/
SeaSpine (Vista, CA) $20M sales in 2006 and growing, Alphatec to market Sea Spine’s Cross Link adjustable bridge spinal product under ATEC’s private label
[ACQUIRED]
Skeletal Kinetics (CA) Aug06 acquired by Colson Assoc for private group of companies (Osteomed, Acumed), synthetic bone graft Callos (calcium phosphate) for cancellous bone voids
http://www.skeletalkinetics.com/
Showa Ika Kohgyo (Tokyo & Memphis TN) founded in1974, spinal fixation, Arristos Spinal System, Laurence Fairey is President of US business
http://www.innovationmedical.com/showaika.html
Signus Medical (Minneapolis) Pioneering the introduction of new biomaterials such as PEEK-Optima®, and research into the next generation of materials, PEEK cages, Bob Heinrich VP Marketing, Thomas Hoghaug CEO
Sintea Biotech (Milano, Italy) lumbar instrumentation
Solco Biomedical (Korea) need information
http://eng.solco.co.kr/Pr/Pr03.aspx
Sotiera (Natick, MA)raised $6.6 million in Series C funding, developing a treatment of vertebral compression fractures in patients with osteoporosis, cancer or traumatic injuries, design provides a superior biomechanical structure and better control of cement flow than other solutions, Competitive Technologies granted Soteira exclusive license to their nanotechnology-based bone biomaterial for spine
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
SparTek Medical, Inc. (Alameda, CA) founded in 2007 by successful serial entreprenuer Henry Klyce (Klyce founded Surgical Dynamics in 1985, and founded St. Francis Medical Technologies in 2007), patents filed for motion preserving spine fusion implant that is inserted minimally invasively for treatment of degenerative disc disease
http://www.spartekmedical.com/
Specialty Spine Products – need information
[ACQUIRED]
Spinal Dynamics (CA) acquired by Medtronic for $270M in 2002
[ACQUIRED]
Spinal Innovations (Memphis) Mark Richelsoft was president, acquired by Aesculap for undisclosed sum
Spinal Kinetics (Sunnyvale, CA) Founded in 2003, developing the M6 artificial disc that seeks to mimic the dynamics and composition of the natural disc, cervical and lumbar products under development, De Novo Ventures, Discs for treating DDD, Tom Afzal is president
Spinal Edge LLC (Chicago) – Atlas cage
Spinal Modulation (Menlo Park, CA) – small layoffs in 2009, spinal cord modulation & pain management, in stealth mode, $7M Series A from De Novo Partners, CEO search
Spinal Motion (Mountain View, CA) MoM disc in dev, new patents “Intervertebral Prosthetic Disc with Metallic Hockey Puck Core”, $20M in Series C, Kineflex C cerv disc in trials done in South Africa, two US IDEs start 2008 Kineflex L and Kineflex C
Spinal Restoration (Austin) – soft disc in clinical trials, Gary Sabins (CEO), Kevin Thorne, John Wheeler, non-exclusive license to Baxter’s fibrin sealant TISSEEL, cervical plating
Spinal Simplicity (Kansas City) founded in 2008 by Dr. Harold Hess, self funded, the Minuteman device is a minimally invasive posterior fixation implant that can be implanted in 15-minutes on an outpatient basis, no FDA approvals
Spine 21 (Princeton, NJ) CTO is Uri Arnin, previously CTO of Impliant, developed a dynamic posterior stabilization device
Spine360 (Austin, TX) Talon Spinal Fixation System, Greg Calbert (VP Sales & Oper)
SpineAlign Medical (San Jose, CA)fka SpineWorks, started IDE for nitinol implant for VCF fractures that is implanted through the pedicle, new CEO Gary Grenter
http://www.spineworksmedical.com
SpineArt (Switzerland) need information, artsy animated website with very little information
[ACQUIRED]
SpineCore (NJ) in 2004 SpineCore was acquired by Stryker Corporation for $360 million in cash, including $120 million up front and $240 million in milestone and royalty payments upon U.S. commercialization of the company’s products
http://www.warburgpincus.com/portfolio/ViewCompany,id,220.aspx
SpineCraft (Westchester, IL) Basic products for Cervical, Lumbar/ Degenerative, Deformity, and Bone Substitutes, clearances in Europe and US, no news
Spine Elements (previously Quantum Orthopedics) (Carlsbad, CA) – Zyre Facet System arthroplasty system IDE start 2006, Zyre is sold OUS, In cadaveric spine specimen testing, “the Zyre Facet Replacement System exhibited endurance under repeated loading with no evidence of device wear in or around the anatomic structures where the device was implanted.” Todd Andres-Pres
SpineForm, LLC (Cinncinati) scoliosis treatment, raised $1.25M in Angel funding in 2009
Spine Frontier (Beverly, MA) founded in 2006, facet screw, biologics and some patent apps in the works, Kingsly Chin is listed as one of their inventors
SpineGuard (France) raised $11M in Series A and $4M in Series B. Proceeds were used to acquire the PediGuard Business Unit from SpineVision. SpineGuard’s focus is safer pedicle screw placement in spine surgery.
SpineLab (Germany) – Precimed to co-develop instruments
SpineMark – need information
SpineMatrix (Akron, OH)Non-nvasive diagnostics equiprment used in the differential diagnosis of disc or facet mediated low back pain, closed $ 8M in Series B for new hires and manuf or CERSR that detects muscle tension in the back to locate source of pain, Bill Christy is new CEO after Ben Shappley left for Amedica
SpineMedica (Atlanta) – $10.6M spinoff from SaluMedica in 2005, focusing on spine cartilage, SaluDisc based on a hydrogel spine license for Salubria, Pete Petit (Pres), Rebeccah Brown PhD (COO), Lew Bennett was CEO for a short time, no news for a least a year???
Spineology (St Paul, MN)raised $7.5 in 2008, OptiMesh is a 3-D deployable mesh pouch that’s implanted into skeletal defects empty, through a small tube, and then deployed to its full size once it’s in place, current focus is VCF fracture repair, struggling to keep trials moving forward
SpineOvations (San Diego) Ross Simmons, named Robert R. Anglea to its Board of Directors. DiscSeal(TM) is a percutaneous injection treatment for patients with Internal Disc Derangement (IDD) and suffering from chronic, discogenic lower back pain, acqd Discogen (FL) Dec07
SpineSmith, LP (Austin, TX) develops and markets implants and biologics for surgical fixation, correction and tissue regeneration of the spine, Kevin Dunworth (Founder) Steve Melchiode (Pres)
SpineSource (St Louis) distributing A-Spine products in US, raised $1.2M to fund lanch of 3 products. Tom Mitchell president, PEEK cage, AT plating made by Taiwan-based ASpine
[ACQUIRED]
Spine Solutions acq by Synthes for $175M in 2003, ProDisc
Spine Technologies (CT) need information
http://www.spinetechnologies.com/
SpineView (Fremont, CA) minimally-invasive technologies aimed at improving spinal decompression and fusion with a host of spine-related interventional and surgical products and procedures, enSpire Interventional Discectomy System is a needle-based tool designed to cut, grind, and aspirate disc tissue for lumbar discectomy procedures
SpineVision (Paris & San Francisco) – lumbar system for dynamic stabilization without fusion, also discs and MIS systems, free-hand electronic pedicle preparation instrument, Julian Mackenzie is now CEO, Direct sales in UK
Spine Wave (Shelton, CT)quickly raised $125M in four rounds, IDE approval in 2006, StaXx expandable PEEK interbody, StaXx FX repair system, NuCore injectable nucleus trial underway, Mark LoGuidice (founder), John Pafford (founder)
SpinX Technologies (Geneva) programmable lab-on-a-chip platform for applications ranging from drug discover to consumer diagnostics
http://www.spinx-technologies.com/
Spring Back, Inc (Palo Alto, CA) exhibited at EuroSpine 2009, need more information
Surgical Biologics (Kennesaw, GA) developing bioimplants manufactured from human amniotic membrane, which can be used for a wide range of spine indications. Purion, a patent pending process created by Surgical Biologics, is specifically designed for the manufacture of human amniotic membrane
Surgicraft PEEK cages, need information
Synergetics USA instruments, need information
http://www.synergeticsusa.com/
[ACQUIRED]
St. Francis Medical (San Francisco) Kyphon acq $185M, X STOP Interspinous Process Decompression System, great reimbursement at $4,400, IPO late 2006
http://www.medtronicsofamordanek.com/
[ACQUIRED]
Theken (Akron, OH) Integra Life Sciences acquired for $75M + possible $125 in earnouts in Aug08 (2.2X sales), PEEK cages, e-Disk with MEMS chips with feedback, FDA warning letter re torque wrench, eDisk trials start late 2007
Titan Spine (Milwaukee) – Peter Ulrich inventor, ENDOSKELETON Vertebral Body replacement, Charanpreet Bagga, Vice President of Operations & Research, Steve Cichy, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Kevin Gemas, President
[LIKELY SUCCESS]
TranS1 (Wilmington, NC) $12M Series B, technology allows for an innovative a-coccygeal axial approach to the spine sometimes referred to “trans-sacral”. This MIS access is limited to the L5-S1 level of the spine only (at this time!), but the remarkable technique allows for clearing out the nucleus without having to puncture the annulus. TranS1 is getting a boost from a recent $25 million funding by institutional venture capitalists and some recent hires from the Kyphon sales armada, Robert Assell, VP Prod Dev, most successful IPO in 2007
TransCorp Medical (Grand Rapids, MI) focused on neurosurgical and orthopedic instruments and implants, founders are Dr. Scott Tuinstra, Roger Veldman, and Des O’Farrell, 2008 funding from EDF Ventures and Grand Rapids-based Hopen Therapeutics and Grand Angels
Ulrich Medical USA – bought a spine distributorship…SpineSource, Obelisc vertebral body replacement
http://www.ulrichmedicalusa.com/
Ultimate Spine (Los Angeles) FDA registered, Selective Axis posterior non-cervical plating system, need information
US Spine Technologies (Boca Raton, FL) minimally invasive, rapid-delivery facet fixation via a disposable, trigger-operated gun; third-generation polymer artificial disc, Element TCP/HA, received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Facet Fixation System, an alternative to pedicle screw fixation for 1 and 2-level spine fusions, Doris Blake (CEO), Paul Sendro hired as VP Sales after failing as Vertebron CEO
Vertebral Technologies, Inc – VTI (Minneapolis) focus is less invasive fusions, InterFuse Interbody Fusion Device made from modular PEEK spacers, 300 Fuse Interbodies implanted in US, InterCushion disc nucleus, Jeff Felt is CEO, strong connection to ABS, plans to raise $3M funding
Vertebration (Columbus, OH) MIS techniques
[FAILED]
Vertebron (Stratford, CT) BANKRUPT in March 2009, Asset Sales later in 2009, Vertebron should have cashed out when CardoMed offered them $25M, MoM disc in dev, acquired 9 patents spanning spinal implant and instrument systems, including bioabsorbable cervical plating and interbody fusion devices, non-metallic screw locking and chemical bonding technologies, X-Surgical Dynamics leader, distributes medARTIS TCP/HA, most profitable quarter was 1Q07
Vertiflex (San Clemente, CA) a developer of medical devices for spinal surgery, has quietly raised around $28.3M in venture funding
Vertos Medical (Aliso Viejo, CA) $15.5M in Series D, MILD instruments for perform percutaneous lumbar decompressure procedures, early clinical data looks good, experienced CEO Jim Corbett from Ev3
Vexim SAS (France) minimally-invasive anatomical treatment of vertebral compression fractures, clinical trials in Europe of the SpineJack
VG Innovations (Winston-Salem, NC) VerteLoc Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization System for facet fusion, over 500 US implantations so far
Wenzel Spine, Inc. (Austin, TX) – founded in 2008, and fully operational by the fall of 2009, Wenzel’s products were previously marketed by Encore Medical. Encore Medical purchased Osteoimplant Technology in 2005. Osteoimplant Technology marketed spine products from Advanced Spine, which included the VariGrip and VariFix and VariLift, Chad Neely (CEO), MAB is composed of David Attia, M.D., Thomas Kingman, M.D., and Frank Fichtel, M.D.
X-Spine (Centerville, OH)screws, approved Capless Pedicle Screw system
