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SmartTRAK Life Sciences News and Analysis Blog

Kim French

20+ years of progressive medical device and biologics marketing and sales experience in orthopedic biological implants, cellular technologies and biopharmaceuticals. Most recent experience includes President, Trilogy Consulting and Marketing and Sales Management roles at AlloSource and Terumo BCT.

Recent Posts

2 min read

What Lies Ahead For Orthobiologics in 2023 and Beyond

By Kim French on 3/6/23 9:30 AM

Market Dynamics, Industry Moves and Technology Advancements 

In 2022, the Orthobiologics Market encountered both ups and downs. Though companies are still reporting year-end results, SmartTRAK feels the Orthobiologics Market finished on a high note. The 2022 challenges, such as staffing shortages at healthcare facilities, supply chain constraints and inflation, may cause headwind in 2023, stifling some growth.

Nevertheless, SmartTRAK anticipates the potential downsides will be offset by elective procedures returning to pre-COVID levels, along with progressive, transitional initiatives by select market players that have the potential to reshape certain orthobiologics segment landscapes.

Among the many topics covered in this Market Outlook article are:

  • Reshaping the Competitive Landscape
  • Shifts in the US Bone Replacement Market
  • Advancements in Osteobiologics
  • Shifts in the US Sports Medicine Market
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2 min read

Navigating the New Norm: Q320 Orthbio Market Recap

By Kim French on 12/17/20 10:10 AM

Orthopedics market stages a third-quarter rally while navigating a new norm.

As the US healthcare system adjusts to the “new” norm brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Orthobiologics market rallied in Q320, ending the quarter up +2.3% YoY. 

Among the many topics, including company revenues, shares, charts and expert analysis, covered in the comprehensive Q320 Orthobio Market Recap* are:
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3 min read

2020 ICRS Virtual Meeting Highlights - Strong Interest Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

By Kim French on 11/23/20 12:19 PM

Strong interest in joint preservation amid COVID-19 pandemic

During the month of October, the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) hosted its first virtual convention, allowing stakeholders to come together to learn about the latest cartilage repair techniques, review recent clinical outcomes and explore new products via a virtual hall.

The knee is one of the most common joints to experience cartilage defects and many treatment options exist and vary widely. In this article, SmartTRAK  highlights some select key takeaways from the Knee and Advanced Technique Modules, focusing on Zimmer Biomet*, Arthrex*, Anika*, Vericel* and their products, including HemiCAP*, PF Wave*, WaveKahuna*, Hyalofast*, BioCartilage*, CartiONE*, MACI*, BioPoly* and APS nStride*, among others.

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1 min read

A Roller Coaster Quarter: Q220 OrthoBio Market Recap

By Kim French on 10/7/20 9:30 AM

Calibrating the craziness and uncertainties of a roller coaster quarter

Because Orthobiologics spans various markets and is used in numerous procedures in different surgical settings, Q2 proved to be a roller coaster of a quarter, creating uncertainty and craziness. Beginning in mid-March with stay-at-home orders and restrictions on elective surgery, US elective procedures bottomed in April, resulting in plummeting revenues and increased angst.

Responding quickly to the new twists and turns of COVID-19, many companies shifted priorities, reduced costs and implemented initiatives to help climb out of the record-breaking descent of Q220. Revenue and procedural recovery varied widely and impacted segments differently.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q220 OrthoBio  Market Recap* are:

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7 min read

Mid-March Madness of COVID-19: Q120 OrthoBio Market Recap

By Kim French on 7/8/20 9:30 AM

The mid-March madness of COVID-19 results in final missed shots for many companies.

For sports fans, March is about celebrating the best in college basketball. Regrettably, March Madness was swapped with COVID-19 mid-March madness, disrupting lives and companies across the world. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the first corporate earnings season has concluded and we now have a peek of the negative impacts caused by the pandemic and deferral of elective procedures. As for Q120, US orthobiologics revenue declined -5.5% YoY compared to Q119. 


Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive 
Q120 OrthoBio Market Recap* are:

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5 min read

Biomedical Solutions: An Interview with DSM Biomedical's John Witkowski

By Kim French on 5/20/20 10:00 AM

SmartTRAK discusses the latest advancements in biomedical solutions with DSM President John Witkowski

DSM, a global leader in biomedical solutions for more than 30 years, helps improve the health of 3.5 million patients annually. While biomaterials have been around for decades, DSM Biomedical is advancing biomaterial science, providing the latest synthetic biomaterials and stem cell-based technologies that are used in various applications, including spine, general orthopedics, sports medicine, general surgery and wound.

To learn more about the latest advancements in DSM Biomedical biomaterials and technologies and what’s next for the business, click on the following video to listen to SmartTRAK’s interview with John Witkowski, President of DSM Biomedical. A transcript of the interview can also be downloaded below. 

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4 min read

Q419/FY19 Orthobio Market Recap: Decelerating Growth

By Kim French on 4/3/20 9:46 AM

Surprises lead to deceleration of overall Orthobio growth

For Q419, US Orthobio market growth (comprised of Bone, Cartilage, Soft Tissue and Meniscus Replacement implants) was flat at 0.3%. FY19 grew 4.2% over 2018. Both Q4 and FY19 did see shifts within the market. The double-digit growth of Cartilage and Wright’s AUGMENT was offset by lower than expected sales in InfuseCartiva SCI and soft tissue augmentation. For 2019, Medtronic remained the overall US market leader, followed by DePuy Synthes and Stryker.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q419/FY19 OrthoBio Market Recap* are:

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4 min read

Q319 OrthoBio Market Recap: Healthy YoY Growth

By Kim French on 12/16/19 9:30 AM

With a boost from an extra selling day during the third quarter, the US OrthoBio Market continues to be healthy, with Q319 revenue up +5.8% YOY. Year-to-date revenue is up +5.5% compared to the same time period for 2018. In addition to the specific factors that were discussed in the Q219 OrthoBio Recap, the segment’s success may be attributed to robustness in the broader economy and more people feeling comfortable scheduling procedures. As reported in Needham’s Q319 Review, in Q319 vs. Q219, overall orthopedic market growth improved to 5.0% vs. 3.1%, with spine improving to ...

Among the many topics covered in the complete, comprehensive Q319 OrthoBio Market Recap* are:
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5 min read

Orthobiologics: Top Trends to Watch in 2019 and Beyond

By Kim French on 10/28/19 12:19 PM

SmartTRAK predicts Orthobiologic’s top market and technology trends to watch in 2019

At the beginning of the year, SmartTRAK took a look back at 2018 and identified continuing and emerging trends in the market for Orthobiologics that were likely to shape the landscape in 2019 and beyond. Now that we're approaching the end of the year, take another look at our predictions for 2019.

So what did we see in store for Orthobiologics? Here are SmartTRAK’s predictions for the top market and technology trends to watch:

Balancing Sales Growth Trajectory and Portfolio Reshaping

As competition heats up, companies will continue to identify tailwinds and headwinds that sway sales growth and will reshape portfolios accordingly. Sustaining above-market growth rates will take creativity, especially in stagnate markets like spine or in areas that face access challenges. Expect focused efforts around adding/expanding higher growth-higher margin products, shedding lower growth-lower margin product lines and expanding market penetration or margins for the “low-hanging fruit” prospects....

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5 min read

Q219 OrthoBio Market Recap: Strong Performance

By Kim French on 9/12/19 10:00 AM

Sales strategy, market reach and evidence-based medicine drives strong Orthobiologics performance

SmartTRAK reports that Q219 performance in the OrthoBio market was strong, up 6% YoY, exceeding SmartTRAK expectations. As expected, Medtronic was the overall OrthoBio market leader, followed by DePuy Synthes and Stryker. Overall, all OrthoBio technologies grew year-over-year except for Spinal Constructs, Soft Tissue Augmentation and Synthetic Cartilage. Although the Spine market has stabilized, Spinal Constructs continues to slowly lose share due to...

Among the many topics covered in the Q219 OrthoBio Market Recap* are:

Topics: Orthopedics
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