At the 2023 Annual Meeting in monumental Washington DC, the Biologic Association and the American Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) teamed up with American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) to spotlight the growing interest in and latest advancements of biologics in musculoskeletal medicine. Taking center stage and garnering attention was the idea of “biological healing” and the use of biologics in various conditions and at different points of a continuum of care.

Not surprisingly, the Biological Association focused more on autologous therapies, cell culturing and the next generation of biologics, while the AOSSM meeting explored the current use and growing trends of traditional orthobiologics in orthopedic applications. This article, which is downloadable here, is part one in a two-part series highlighting key takeaways from the Biologic Association meeting, including:

• Biologic Association Key Takeaways
• Rules of Engagement: Regulations and Needed Standards
  • “Same Surgical Procedure Exception” Guidance
  •  Standards for Autologous Orthobiologics
  • Driving Better Patient Outcomes
• Current Use of Autologous Therapies and Next Generation of Biologics
  • Current Practice
  • Next Generation of Biologics
• Notable Investigative Technologies

Although several biologics seem promising to treat musculoskeletal conditions, there is still an uphill battle for widespread use. Current challenges include ...

To download "Biologics in Musculoskeletal Medicine," Part One of the series of articles by Kimberly French, SmartTRAK's GM, Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine, just click the button below. Look for Part Two in this series, which will cover key takeaways from AOSSM, highlighting the current use of Orthobiologics and growing trends, in the coming weeks.

• Top of Mind: M&A and Workforce Reductions
• Macroeconomic Headwinds
• Momentum for Penetrating Larger Addressable Markets
• Companies that are Shifting Strategies
  
  • Anika Therapeutics - Anika has been transforming itself from an osteoarthritis (OA) pain management leader with a huge addressable market to a ...
  • Vericel - US Cartilage Replacement Market leader Vericel continues to shape the market landscape and shift how surgeons are treating ...
  • CONMED - In 2021, CONMED accelerated investments to grow its domestic Orthopedic business, including expanding its ...
• Latest Updates on Pricing and Reimbursement

In summary, this year’s AAOS meeting was energetic, and most of the news and information was positive. SmartTRAK is eager to see the outcomes of the recent acquisitions and activities associated with capturing more market share and ...

To read the complete "The Orthobiologics Buzz at AAOS 2023" article by Kimberly French, GM, Orthobiologics and Regenerative Medicine, just click the button below.

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

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:

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.

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:

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:

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. 

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 Infuse, Cartiva 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: