DEPUY SYNTHES FINDS STABILITY IN FIRST QUARTER (Orthopedics This Week)
DePuy Synthes Companies orthopedic sales of $2.41 billion improved, on a reported basis, by 1.5% during the first quarter of 2014. On a constant currency basis, sales rose 2.7%.
On a reported basis, trauma was the big performer, rising 6%. Knees were up 3%. Hips rose 1% and spine dropped 1%.
Bumping Knees With Zimmer
Company management told analysts during an April 15, 2014 conference call that knee sales were driven by the Attune Fixed Bearing Knee. The device is now in full commercialization in North America, with launches in 13 European and Asia-Pacific countries under way. The Attune is up against Zimmer Holdings Inc.’s Persona knee, one of the most successful new knees in some time.
Management said hip sales were negatively affected by seasonal volumes, as well as pricing. In the U.S., price for hips was negative 4.1%, offset by modest mix, for a total of negative 3.7%.
Trauma sales included a 10% increase in the U.S. BMO Capital Market analyst, Joanne Wuensch, reported that while it seems that there was some strong market growth, most of the trauma positive recovery was a result of last year’s nail recall....
