Conference Calendar

March 6-9 - Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) Annual Meeting

March 7-10 - The McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine Scientific Retreat

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Earnings Calendar

Mar 8 @ 4:30 PM ET - MAKO Surgical Corp.

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Orthopedic and Dental Industry News Complete Archive »

Synthes

Industry Reaches Out to Help Haiti BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

A week after a catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, the orthopedic industry is mobilizing to help. Alphatec Spine, DePuy, Medtronic, Smith & Nephew and Synthes are among the companies contributing money and surgical supplies in the wake of the crisis. Synthes... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 5-Nov-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings aap Implantate reported nine-month revenue of EUR 25.6 million ($37.4 million), which represents a 6% increase over the year-ago period. The company said third-quarter highlights included the signing of several IP agreements that emphasize orthopedics, trauma ad spine. Artimplant... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 10-Sept-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

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,... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 20-Aug-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings aap Implantate reported 1H:09 sales of EUR 14.7 million ($20.7 million), representing a 10% decreased from 1H:08. Adjusting for one-time income, sales were down 3%, and in the second half of 2009, the company "anticipates a recovery in demand... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 30-Jul-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Exactech reported 2Q:09 revenues of $43.3 million, representing a 1% decrease from the year-ago period and beating estimates by $0.3 million. The company reported net income of $2.6 million, or $0.20 per share, representing a 14% decrease from 2Q:08... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 7-May-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Alphatec Spine reported record consolidated revenue of $30.6 million reported in 1Q:09, which represents 32% growth over 1Q:08 and 8% sequential growth over revenues reported in 4Q:08. U.S. revenue growth of 28% over prior year was approximately three times... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 26-Mar-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Regulatory Bonesupport received the CE mark for Cerament Bone Void Filler, a ceramic bone substitute primarily used for the treatment of osteoporotic fractures. IlluminOss Medical received the CE mark for its Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System. According to the company, the... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 19-Feb-09 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Exactech reported 4Q:08 revenues of $40.3 million, representing a 22% increase over 4Q:07 and beating estimates by $0.4 million. Net income was $3.1 million, or $0.24 per share, representing a 15% increase over 4Q:07 and beating estimates by $0.04.... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 11-Dec-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Wright Medical reiterated 4Q:08 revenue and earnings guidance on a call this week and lowered 2009 guidance based on less favorable foreign exchange rates. The company is now calling for 2009 revenues in the range of $510 million to... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 20-Nov-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Medtronic reported FQ2:09 revenues of $3.57 billion, up 14% (8% constant currency) over the year-ago period and missing estimates by $0.12 billion. Non-GAAP net earnings and diluted earnings per share were $758.0 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, missing... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 22-Oct-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings CONMED reported 3Q:08 revenues of $179.4 million, up 9% over the year-ago period and beating estimates by $2.95 million. Arthroscopy was up 18% (17% constant currency), contributing $69.5 million to total sales. On a non-GAAP basis, diluted earnings per... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 9-Oct-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

M&A Life Spine, Inc. has acquired the "majority" of the intellectual property of Spinal Generations, LLC. Neither details on the acquired technology nor terms of the transaction were disclosed. Funding Harvard received a $125 million donation from Synthes Chairman Hansjorg... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 31-July-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Cryolife reported 2Q:08 revenues of $27.2 million, up 18% over the year-ago period and beating estimates by $1.4 million. Orthopedic tissue processing revenues declined 76% to $0.3 million, as the company has discontinued that segment of the business. Net... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 28-Feb-2008 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Artimplant reported 4Q:07 revenues of SEK 5.0 million ($0.8 million), up from SEK 1.6 million ($0.25 million) in the year-ago period. The net loss for 4Q:07 was SEK 2.1 million ($0.34 million), improved from a loss of SEK 9.5... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 21-Feb-08 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings ArthroCare reported 4Q:07 revenues of $87.5 million, beating estimates by $1.7 million, representing a 25% increase over the year-ago period. Net income was $14.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, missing estimates by a penny and representing a 78%... more

The New York Times Questions Prodisc, Surgeons, Hospitals, Industry and FDA BY DAVID KRESSEL

In the January 30th issue of the New York Times, healthcare reporter Reed Abelson takes a critical look at spine surgery, and in particular a novel device called Prodisc in an article titled "Financial Ties Are Cited as Issue in... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 20-Dec-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

M&A BioMimetic announced the impending sale of its dental business and GEM 21S product to Luitpold Pharmaceuticals. Luitpold, who has been distributing the product since 2003, will pay BioMimetic $40.0 million in addition to ongoing royalty and milestone payments. The... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 21-Nov-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Medtronic reported FQ2:08 revenue of $3.12 billion, beating estimates by $0.02 million and representing a 2% increase over the year-ago period. Net earnings for FQ2:08 were $666.0 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, beating estimates by $0.02 but down... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 15-Nov-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Artimplant announced 3Q:07 revenue of SEK 2.6 million, up from SEK 0.9 million in the year-ago period. 3Q:07 net loss was SEK 3.6 million, down from SEK 10.4 in 3Q:06. Earnings per share, including a non-recurring item, amounted to... more

N-Spine Bought By Synthes for $75+ Million BY DAVID KRESSEL

Swiss orthopedics giant Synthes announced today that it is purchasing N-Spine for $30 million cash upfront, $45 million cash for certain milestones and additional undisclosed payments for reaching certain sales targets. Synthes is one of the leaders in the spine... more

Musculosketal News Roundup 25-Oct-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings ArthroCare Corp. reported 3Q:07 total revenues of $78.5 million, an increase of 21% over the comparable quarter. Revenues missed estimates by $0.11 million. The company reported net income of $11.1 million, or $0.39 per share, up 28% over 3Q:06... more

Synthes Gets Approvable Letter from FDA for ProDisc®-C BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Synthes announced this morning that they received an Approvable Letter from the FDA regarding their PMA application for the ProDisc®-C, the company's artificial cervical disc. A full approval order will be made once Synthes' manufacturing processes are reviewed by the... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 23-Aug-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings aap Implantate announced 38% growth in revenues following its consolidation with Fame Medical Group. Revenues in 1H:07 totaled EUR 12.7 million. Highlights from 2Q:07 include a reported double-digit increase in international sales in the Trauma & Joint Reconstruction segment... more

Synthes and Globus to Settle BY JOHN MCCORMICK

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Inquirer (article here) reported that Synthes and Globus have settled their long running legal dispute for an undisclosed amount. The agreement stipulates that Globus that it will not solicit or hire Synthes employees for one year. This... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 16-Aug-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings BioMimetic Therapeutics reported a 2Q:07 net loss of $6.4 million, or $(0.35) per share, beating estimates of $(0.39) per share and improving from a net loss of $3.9 million, or $(0.42) per share, in 2Q:06. 2Q:07 Revenues were $0.5... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 9-Aug-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Biologics: Orthovita reported 2Q:07 revenues of $14.85 million, beating estimates of $14.13 million and reflecting a 33% increase over 2Q:06. Sales growth was attributed to increased U.S. sales of VITOSS® FOAM and VITAGEL® products. Net loss decreased to $3.17... more

Synthes vs. Globus: Round 1 and the Gloves are Off BY JOHN MCCORMICK

What is going on with the now famous David and Goliath Synthes vs. Globus legal battle? Is it a nuisance suit designed by Synthes to distract Globus management or does it have merit? Over the last three years the docket... more

Musculoskeletal News Roundup 26-July-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Stryker reported revenues of $1.46 billion, beating estimates of $1.44 billion and increasing 16% from $1.26 billion in 2Q:06. 2Q:07 earnings were $269.1 million, or $0.65 per share, beating estimates of $0.61 and up from $0.52 in the comparable... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 31-May-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Regulatory CMS released a proposed non-coverage decision for lumbar artificial disc replacements following a review of Synthes' Pro-Disc-L. The agency found that LADR is not reasonable and necessary for Medicare recipients over 60 based on lack of relevant data and... more

On the CMS Lumbar Disc Non Coverage Proposal BY JOHN MCCORMICK

At the end of Friday, CMS published a sweeping proposal that denies coverage for all lumbar artificial discs in the age 60-and-over Medicare population. The proposal can be found here on the CMS website. Falling into line with its previous... more

Society for Biomaterials a Product Pipeline Crystal Ball BY DAVID KRESSEL

Last week, we attended the Society for Biomaterials' annual conference. The event showcases the latest academic research and its broad applications across medical specialties. Roughly a third of the poster presentations focused on orthopedics, and most of the rest related... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 19-Apr-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Stryker announced 1Q:07 earnings on Wednesday. Net income increased to $243.5 million, or $0.59 per share, beating analysts' estimates of $0.58 per share. In the comparable quarter, net income was $147.5 million, or $0.36 per share. Revenues increased 13%... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 1-Mar-07 BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI

Earnings Biologics LifeCell reported 4Q:06 product revenues of $39.3 million, an increase of 45% over $27.0 million in 4Q:05, but missed analysts' estimates of $39.5 million. The growth was attributed to increased demand for the Company's AlloDerm® Regenerative Tissue Matrix.... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 2-Nov-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Earnings Biologics: Orthovita reported 3Q:06 product sales came in at $11 million, up 32% compared to 3Q:05. Net loss for the quarter was $3.7 million, or a loss of $0.07 per share. The Company beat analysts' EPS estimates by $0.02,... more

SNN Issued a Statement Re: BMET Acquisition Rumors BY HUYEN NGUYEN

This morning Smith & Nephew issued a statement confirming speculations that it has been speaking with Biomet. The Company stated that it, "it has held very preliminary talks with the US medical devices company, Biomet Inc. No agreement has been... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 19-Oct-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Earnings Dental: Lifecore Biomedical announced that 1Q:07 net sales increased 12% to $15 million. Net income for the quarter was $1.1 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 9%. The Company was in-line with analysts' estimates and reported earnings of $0.08... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 5-Oct-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Earnings Update: Tutogen Medical, Inc. provided an update on its 4Q:06 projected revenues which are estimated at ~$10.8 million, representing a 36% increase over the comparable quarter of 2005. Revenues for the fiscal year will be ~$38 million, an increase... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 14-Sept-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Appointment: Orthovita, Inc. has appointed Albert J. Pavucek, Jr. Vice President Corporate Controller. Mr. Pavucek was with PDI, Inc. serving as Vice President, Finance and Operations. Awards & Recognition: Smith & Nephew plc announced that two of its products, the... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 7-Sept-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Appointment: Ranier Technology Limited has appointed John C. Moran to its Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Moran was a President of Synthes Spine and a Director of Spine Solutions, Inc. Active Implants Corporation (AIC) has hired Richard Treharne, PhD. as... more

Synthes Acquires AO Foundation's Assets; Collaboration Agreement Still in Discussion BY ARIELLA P. GOLOMB, MD

Back in March, Synthes and the Association for Osteosynthesis (AO) Foundation announced that Synthes would acquire trade names and marks and substantially all of the intellectual property from the AO Foundation for approximately CHF 1.0 billion in cash and stock.... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 17-Aug-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Earnings: Biologics: Tutogen reported 3Q:06 sales of $10 million and a net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.07 per fully diluted share compared to the same quarter last year. The Company would have experienced breakeven results without ~$1.1 million in... more

Synthes 1H:06 Results, Sales Up 15% BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Yesterday Synthes reported consolidated 1H:06 financials with sales of $1.2 billion, representing an increase of 14% (15% constant currency). Consolidated sales for 1H:06 in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and elsewhere increased by 16.8%, 16.6%, 14.7% and 10.5%, respectively. For... more

Synthes PRODISC Receives FDA Approval BY JOHN MCCORMICK

Yesterday Synthes Spine received a letter from the FDA indicating that its PRODISC lumbar total disc replacement device PMA has been approved. Typically when a PMA is approved, the FDA attaches conditions and restrictions to use of the device and... more

1Q:06 Final Performance Summary BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Final results for the 26 publicly-traded orthopedic companies* in 1Q:06 showed that orthopedic sales for first quarter increased by 9.2%, as reported. Now that Medtronic has reported its spine revenues, total aggregated sales for those 26 companies came in at... more

1Q:06 Preliminary Earnings Summary BY HUYEN NGUYEN

The first group of orthopedic companies reported their 1Q:06 this week and took in $5.3 billion so far. The total aggregated revenues for the quarter were up by 7% from $4.9 billion in 1Q:05. The industry netted $637.8 million, a... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 30-Mar-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Dane Miller of Biomet called it quits a week after releasing its 3Q:06 earnings report. Last week, the Company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.43 which was in line with Street's estimate but did not meet analysts' expectation for... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 2-Mar-06 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

We are preparing for AAOS in Chicago, IL and invite you to check back to our website for information on analyst meetings and our top picks of scientific events happening at AAOS. Earnings: Two hip & knee orthopedic companies (Exactech,... more

ProDisc Moves One Step Closer to US Launch BY DAVID KRESSEL

Synthes announced that the FDA sent it an "approvable letter" for the ProDisc-L. The device was deemed safe and effective for treating degenerative disc disease (DDD) at a single level in the lumbar spine, from L3-S1. The FDA expects to... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 17-Nov-05 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Regulatory Update: Osteobiologics received FDA clearance on its OsteoChondral Transplant (OCT) Comprehensive System Instruments. The system is intended for the treatment of osteochondral (cartilage) defects in the knee. BioSyntech received an approval from Health Canada, Therapeutic Products Directorate, Medical Devices... more

Implant Pricing: Not Black and White (EDITORIAL) BY JOHN MCCORMICK

Is Wall Street's shrill reaction to hip and knee implant pricing concerns overblown? Even with sophisticated econometric tools such a question is difficult to evaluate because we are dealing with an expectations driven phenomenon. So we have our doubts about... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 13-Oct-05 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

The allograft industry was scrutinized recently due to the highly publicized case of Biomedical Tissue Services (BTS). The company is being investigated by the Brooklyn district attorney's office for operating a scam to profit from body parts. The first company... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 12-Aug-2005 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

This week we completed the orthopedic reporting calendar as a few more companies reported earnings, starting with Synthes, the number #1 trauma company worldwide. Synthes reported 20% growth in both top and bottom line for 1H:05. Consolidated sales reported at... more

Orthopedic News Roundup 8-Jul-05 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

The NYT runs an astute roundup (registration required) of the the "depressing" delay by some insurers to cover Charite surgery. they note the market tumult that might be caused by possible FDA approval of Synthes' ProDisc, Medtronic's Maverick, and Stryker's... more

Synthes, Inc. (SYST:VX) Reported Sales and Net Earnings for FY2004 BY HUYEN NGUYEN

As an addendum to the January 2005 financial sales release, on March 16/2005, Synthes provided the investment community with the group's sales and earnings financial reports for fiscal year 2004. Synthes reported on both a consolidated and pro forma basis.... more

Synthes Reported Fourth-Quarter and Fiscal Year 2004 Earnings Results BY HUYEN NGUYEN

Synthes, Inc. (SYST.VX), a worldwide maker, developer and distributor of orthopedic trauma implants, biological devices and spinal hardware, reported financial results for fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2004 on January 20/2005. SYST reported sales for 4Q:04 at $469.4 million, an increase... more

DePuy, Stryker and Synthes Receive Most FDA Approvals YTDwhile Zimmer lags BY ROBIN R. YOUNG CFA

Fill the salesman's bag. Advance the art and practice of orthopedics. Create superior returns for your shareholders. None of these are possible without the FDA's initial and ongoing approval. So far this year, the FDA has granted 214 orthopedic device... more


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Reports

Introductory Guide to Intellectual Property for Medical Devices

Dr. Gary Michelson knows his patent rights. Medtronic made him a billionaire for it. Knowing the rules of intellectual property is just as important for any device firm. It's such a critical factor in firm valuations: affecting cash flow timelines, product development, partnering, and many other competitive factors. Purchase this report for $295 »