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SmartTRAK Life Sciences News and Analysis Blog

12 min read

Orchid: The Evolution of Contract Manufacturing

By Lisa Mahan on 12/11/20 2:38 PM

Orchid Orthopedic Solutions CEO Nate Folkert discusses Orchid and the changing landscape of contract manufacturing

With locations around the globe, Orchid Orthopedic Solutions has partnered with established medical device companies, start-ups and surgeon entrepreneurs. The Company, which was established in 2005, has evolved to include facilities at 13 locations worldwide offering a range of services from contract design and development through finished goods manufacturing and packaging.

Orchid CEO Nate Folkert discusses his recent transition from the device company side of the Orthopedic business to the supply side, the evolving nature of the supply side business and the changes that have come about as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Click on the following video to listen to SmartTRAK’s interview with Folkert recorded live via Zoom (15:09 min). A complete transcript of the interview, with a link to download it, is also provided below.

Topics: Orthopedics
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2 min read

COVID Casting Shadows of Doubt on a Rebound: Q320 Spine Market Recap

By Julianne Burns on 12/11/20 11:40 AM

Rising COVID cases in the US casting shadows of doubt on ongoing rebound for the Spine market. 

Quarterly results hint at a sustained rebound for the Spine market even as the US faces a surge of COVID cases. WW Spine Hardware revenues were up as surgeons worked through a backlog of patients postponed due to COVID-19. The US Spinal Fusion Market saw a +3.6% uptick in Q320, with the US Disc Replacement market, VCF and Dynamic Devices all showing growth, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard.

In an October Needham Spine & Robotics Expert Call, Spine surgeon Dr. Peter Whang noted that he and his peers were operating at full capacity at the time with a large backlog of patients to work through. In order to catch up on cases, accommodations are being made with extended clinic hours and elective cases scheduled on weekends. Dr. Whang affirms that COVID has accelerated the shift of spine procedures to an ASC setting and notes that ASC cases recovered faster and will be more resistant to any restrictions due to future COVID spikes.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q320 Spine Market Recap* are:

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3 min read

Magstim: Opportunities in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: An Interview with Lothar Krinke

By Anne Staylor on 12/8/20 9:09 AM

Magstim CEO Lothar Krinke, PhD discusses Magstim and opportunities in transcranial magnetic stimulation in an interview with SmartTRAK

As a pioneer in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Magstim has been a leading supplier of transcranial magnetic stimulators for the last 30 years. Although TMS was first primarily used for research applications, it is now widely used in the clinical setting as a non-invasive therapy to treat major depressive disorder in patients who have failed medication therapy or other treatments. Magstim estimates approximately 50,000+ patients per year in the US receive TMS therapy for depression, a fraction of the five-to-six million patients who currently suffer from medication-resistant depression. 

The combined worldwide market for TMS, including the clinical and research market, is estimated at ~$200 million a year, but it is potentially a multi-billion dollar market according to Magstim CEO Lothar Krinke, PhD. To find out more about TMS and Magstim, including its recent acquisition of Electrical Geodesics (EGI) and its high-density EEG from Royal Philips, click on the following video to listen to SmartTRAK’s interview with Dr. Krinke, recorded live via Uberconference (31:05 min). To download a complete transcript of the interview, just click the link below.

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2 min read

A Journey Back to Normalcy: Q320 Hemostats and Sealants Market Recap

By Doug Devens on 12/7/20 9:58 AM

The US market for Hemostats and Sealants began the journey back to normalcy, slipping -0.2% YoY in Q320, as elective surgeries began to be performed again. Hemostats led the charge with Sealants not far behind.

As the US healthcare system begins to manage COVID-19 and elective procedures return toward pre-COVID-19 levels, the US Hemostats and Sealants market rebounded with a drop of only -0.2% YoY in Q320 according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Most manufacturers still experienced declines in Q320, but far narrower than the losses of Q220. Ethicon* managed a +4.5% gain in Q320 while the other manufacturers essentially treaded water with respect to Q319.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q320 US Hemostats and Sealants Market Recap* are:

Topics: Wound Care
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2 min read

Back on Track: Q320 Total Joints Market Recap

By Lisa Mahan on 12/4/20 11:39 AM

After the pandemic derailed the market in Q220, Total Joints was getting back on track in Q3

The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the Total Joints Market in Q220 with stay-at-home orders and elective procedure shutdowns. But the market seemed back on track in Q320 as elective procedural volumes increased and revenues neared pre-COVID levels. With the market chugging along, the US Total Joints Market experienced positive growth during the quarter of +2.5%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. The Hip Market was able to quickly gain steam due to the less elective nature of the procedure compared to Knees. In Q320, the US Hip Market grew +7.6% compared to the US Knee Market which was nearing pre-COVID levels at -1.1%.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q320 Total Joints Market Recap* are:

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2 min read

Rebounding to Pre-COVID Levels: Q320 US Surgical Matrices Market Recap

By Doug Devens on 12/3/20 3:26 PM

The US Surgical Matrices Market rebounded toward pre-COVID-19 levels in Q320 as the numbers of hernia and breast surgeries came closer to normal levels. The recovery was somewhat uneven, with Breast Matrices still off -8.6% YoY, while Hernia Matrices were closer to pre-COVID-19 levels, off -2.5% YoY.

As hospitals began to establish a new normal in the time of COVID-19, the US Surgical Matrices Market rebounded to lose only -4.6% YoY according to BioMedGPS’ SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. AbbVie* (formerly Allergan) held on to its lead despite the effects of the pandemic, as its breast-heavy portfolio showed a slower return to normal. Becton Dickinson* (BD) lost less than AbbVie/Allergan, declining –3.5% YoY, as hernia procedures bounced back to normal levels a little faster.

Among the many topics covered in the comprehensive Q320 US Surgical Matrices Market Recap* are:

Topics: Wound Care
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2 min read

Medtronic DTM SCS: Using Basic Science to Orchestrate Pain Relief

By Anne Staylor on 11/30/20 3:08 PM

Charlie Covert, VP/GM of Medtronic’s Pain Therapies business, discusses 12-month follow up data from the DTM SCS RCT, orchestrating the neuro-glial response and much more in an interview with SmartTRAK.

Charlie Covert, VP/GM of Medtronic’s Pain Therapies business discusses 12-month data from the Company’s Differential Targeted Multiplexed (DTM) SCS RCT, why they used a modified intent to treat analysis (mITT) and what’s next for DTM research in an interview with   SmartTRAK.


To find out more about DTM SCS, including its mechanism of action (MOA), how it’s doing in the market and Medtronics’ research into expanded indications and new technologies, click the link below to download the complete transcript of the interview.

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9 min read

What's New in Spine and Orthopedic Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS)

By Elise Wolf on 11/24/20 8:00 AM

SmartTRAK highlights what’s new in the Spine and Orthopedic Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS) markets. Our daily updates cover the latest news and up-to-date intel on competitors, revenues, products, patents, trends and research in CAS. Companies covered include Exactech, DePuy Synthes, THINK Surgical, Subtle Medical, CurvSmith & Nephew, Surgalign, Medtronic and others.

The following is a sampling of market updates covering recently published studies, articles and clinical trials in orthopedic regenerative medicine that were curated, reviewed and posted in real time by Elise Wolf, SmartTRAK’s General Manager, Computer-Assisted Surgery.

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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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9 min read

Current and Emerging Research in Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine

By Freddy Buntoum on 11/16/20 6:24 PM

The Regenerative Medicine market for orthopedic and sports medicine applications is rapidly advancing as clinicians increasingly look to novel injectable options to accelerate the healing of injured joints, tendons and/or other soft tissues. Several companies are conducting research into the use of PRP, BMA/BMC, amniotic tissue products, exosomes and other regenerative medicine therapies to treat degenerative and/or chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative disc/spine disease, chronic low back pain, tendinopathy and rotator cuff tears. This includes Arthrex, Emcyte, ISTO Biologics, MiMedx and Harvest/Terumo among others.

The following is a sampling of SmartTRAK market updates covering recently published studies, articles and clinical trials in orthopedic regenerative medicine that were compiled, reviewed and posted in real time by Freddy Buntoum, SmartTRAK’s Sr. Analyst, Regenerative Medicine and Sports Medicine.

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