Musculoskeletal News Roundup 10-Sept-09
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
M&A
Kapstone Medical acquired exclusive rights to Spherofix's screw-locking technology, which the company plans to incorporate into a line of spinal implants. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Regulatory
Covidien received FDA approval to market its DuraSeal spine sealant, the first product approved for use as an adjunct to suturing for intra-operative dural sealing. The company plans to launch the product in the coming weeks.
Product Introduction and Update
Wright Medical launched the ORTHOLOC Polyaxial Locked Plating System for the foot and ankle, which consists of three instrument and plating trays designed for use in the forefoot, calcaneus or ankle. Components are made from titanium.
Intellectual Property
KFx Medical was awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,585,311 to cover a range of knotless tissue fixation methods, including the double-row suturing technique used in rotator cuff repair.
Legal
Arthrex received a summary judgment of patent infringement from a U.S. District Court in a case against DePuy Mitek, which will now progress to an injunction hearing. The infringement allegations concern a method of ACL repair.
A U.S. District Court permanently enjoined Medtronic from infringing the Synthes patent that covers the ProDisc-L. The court also awarded Synthes $21.0 million in damages, interest and costs.
Clinical
AOI Medical completed enrollment for its 60-patient pivotal study for the Ascendx VCF Reduction System. The study began in June 2008 at eight U.S. sites. Pending FDA approval, AOI is projecting a 1Q:10 launch for the product.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and DePuy Mitek, Inc. have launched MovingBeyondJointPain.com, an online resource designed to educate primary care providers about the treatment of chronic shoulder pain.
