Spinal Elements, a spine technology company, announced the acquisition of the assets of Benvenue Medical Inc., a developer of MIS lumbar fusion systems. Among the assets are the Luna XD multi-expandable lumbar fusion device and the Orbit Articulating Discectomy System.
Benvenue had recently introduced the next generation Luna XD system based upon years of experience with a prior generation device. The Luna XD system allows an implant to be surgically delivered through a posterior minimally invasive surgical (MIS) access point and to assume a large footprint previously achievable only via anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) approaches or lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) approaches. The device then expands in height up to 16mm helping restore intervertebral spacing and lordosis and helping achieve sagittal alignment.
The Orbit system consists of articulating and rotating discectomy instrumentation that uses a minimal posterior incision and/or MIS tubular approach to achieve efficient disruption and removal of disc tissue while preparing the end plates for fusion. The novel articulating rotary design allows the working end to evacuate the full area of the disc necessary for implantation of the Luna XD device.
“The acquisition of these Benvenue assets marks another transformational MIS investment for Spinal Elements,” said Jason Blain, President and CEO of Spinal Elements. “We believe we have an exceptional opportunity to advance these novel Luna XD and Orbit technologies as part of our MIS Ultra platform of products and procedures. We are thrilled with the quality of the clinician adopters and feedback we have received in our market diligence. Luna XD and Orbit integrate well with our vision of delivering innovative and differentiated technologies that enable fundamental shifts in MIS spine surgery, including site of care in both hospital and ASC settings.”
“Luna XD is a significant advancement in MIS fusion surgery and has allowed me to implant a more robust and reproducible expandable cage that allows me to implant an ALIF footprint device through a TLIF approach with minimal to no nerve retraction,” said Sandeep Kunwar, M.D., F.A.C.S., Co-Medical Director, Bell Neuroscience, Professor, UCSF. “It also allows for endplate to endplate grafting post-expansion.”
“The Orbit System, combined with the Luna XD makes the procedure more efficient and truly addresses the unmet needs across all discectomy procedures,” said Richard G. Fessler, M.D., Ph.D., Rush University. “In 25 years of performing MIS surgery, the Orbit System is the best set of discectomy tools I’ve ever used.”
In addition to the Luna XD implant system and Orbit discectomy system, Spinal Elements acquired Benvenue Medical’s manufacturing production equipment. The company plans to relocate the operations to its headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. and to resume the manufacturing of the Luna device. Jason Blain further commented, “We are excited to get back into manufacturing and will be deploying a hybrid supply strategy, leveraging our manufacturing expertise to build a world-class operation while continuing to partner with external suppliers as well.”
The company plans to integrate the Benvenue assets and relaunch the Luna and Orbit products by the second quarter of 2021.