Nanochon reposted this
Vice President at Health Advances, Leader in Medtech, Digital, Pharma Services, and Investor Support
First we saw Zimmer Biomet leave, then Stryker – the exodus from mature orthopedic markets, be it through divestiture or portfolio re-prioritizations, is happening as we speak. The spine market has seen the most shake-up where growth is modest, innovation sporadic, and what it takes to win is full commitment. For large, diversified MSK players, this has been tricky to navigate, and they are seeing share points move away to focused players like Alphatec Spine. So where are the biggest MSK players finding safe harbor? Well, for starters, in faster growing segments. Enabling tech, regenerative medicines, sports. These are all areas where innovation is out there, and macro trends are driving faster growth. Growth is possible and M&A opportunities exist. After the Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) conferences, we identified a number of innovators and areas to keep an eye on: #Sports: Cartilage – Fueled by the continued success from companies like Vericel® Corporation who are reshaping the cartilage repair market, a number of new players are trying to find their niche. New implants are looking to mechanically restore a cartilage-like surface (Hyalex Orthopaedics Inc., Sparta Biomedical, ZKR Orthopedics, BioPoly, Overture Orthopaedics) while others are shaping up to compete directly with their own #regernative capabilities (Nanochon, ReLive Biotechnologies Limited, Orthocell Ltd, Anika) -> of course, any ACI player looking to enter the US faces a lengthy BLA process, not to mention the moat Vericel continues to build (via data collection, user experience) #Enablingtech is also emerging in sports, including a novel Dx algorithm to assess cartilage damage (Kneevoice Inc.). #Sports: The broader sports medicine market is also growing rapidly. Innovations include #regenerative biomaterials to promote ACL repair (Miach Orthopaedics, Inc.), #resorbablesynthetics to address rotator cuff (Atreon Orthopedics), and novel hardware to address the meniscus (Regenity Biosciences, OrthoPreserve, Native Orthopaedics) and stabilization of the knee (Moximed). #HipandKnee: In joints, it’s all about #robotics and #enablingtech as we have posted about before. But that’s not the only hot area – joint infection is getting attention (Onkos Surgical, Orthobond Corporation, Implant Preservation Devices). #Spine: Spine is also focused on #robotics and #enablingtech, but we can't ignore implant innovation is still happening (Curiteva, Inc. , RevBio, Inc., Neo Medical., NovApproach Spine, Accelus). #CDMOs: And of course, we've seen manufacturers help drive innovation alongside their OEM customers. Evergen has been on an acquisition streak, and rebranded to clearly state their focus on being the #regenerative #biomaterial CDMO of choice. #Resorbablesynthetics manufacturers are meeting an increasing need for non-biologic options (Poly-Med, Inc.) and even novel #bioprinting companies are making splash in sports (BRINTER).