SmartTRAK highlights what’s new in orthopedics and sports medicine, with a spotlight on Smith & Nephew (SNN). We constantly monitor the worldwide MedTech industry, sifting through the noise to present to our subscribers the most relevant international news, trends, new products, patents, research, financial data and competitor developments in the global life sciences industry.

The following is a sampling of recent market updates covering Smith & Nephew that were compiled, reviewed and posted in real time by our SmartTRAK analysts covering the markets for Computer Assisted Surgery, Extremities, OrthoBio, Soft Tissue Fixation, Total Joints and Trauma.

Companies turn to M&A deals to help them climb the Extremities mountain in the face of market challenges resulting from the COVID-19 Pandemic

No less than six notable acquisitions have taken place or been announced in the Extremities Market in 2020 despite the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Q220, the US Extremities Market dropped -25% with Upper Extremities down -27.3% YoY and the Foot & Ankle segment at -21.1%, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Despite this fall due to the shutdown of elective procedures in Q2 and the subsequent struggles to gain ground as patients return for surgery, these companies are climbing the mountain to gain share and build their presence in Extremities.

In the Sports Medicine market, companies with soft tissue fixation products continue to innovate and pursue patents that provide a window into company ideas, concepts and future technologies. SmartTRAK takes a look at the top competitors in this space, including Arthrex, Smith & Nephew, DePuy Synthes, Zimmer Biomet, Stryker and CONMED Linvatec.

Freddy Buntoum, SmartTRAK’s Sr. Analyst, Regenerative Medicine and Sports Medicine, highlights recently granted patents and published patent applications in soft tissue fixation that describe novel methods, techniques, materials and devices for the repair and reconstruction of soft tissue injuries in the shoulder, extremities, hip and knee.

Q220 brought unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Q220 brought in unexpected strong demand for orthopedic robotics. Companies rose to the challenge through flexible business models to accommodate limitations in short-term hospital financial constraints through increased financing and implant volume commitments. The unexpected strength in robotics revenues also demonstrated a rebound in elective (total joint) procedures that is expected to normalize in early 2021.

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

Despite a downturn in the CAS spine market and a decrease in the proportion of robotic spine cases in Q220, interest in spine robotics and other enabling technologies remains strong.

Although robotic system placements and procedures declined in Q220, companies remain optimistic with strong surgeon interest in spine robotics and a long runway ahead given the early stage of adoption and under penetration of the market. Additionally, product enhancements, new applications and the development of surgical platforms that span multiple enabling technologies (robotics, AI, surgical planning, patient-specific implants, etc.) are expected to drive growth in the CAS spine space going forward.

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

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 effects of COVID-19 were felt throughout the WW Spine Market with dramatic Q220 declines in both the US and international markets. 

COVID-19 stifled the Spine Hardware Market in Q220, driving WW revenues down -26.4% in the quarter, with the US at -30.5%. The US Spinal Fusion Market took the hardest hit, with that market seeing a -31.4% decline in Q220 vs US Disc Replacement and VCF Markets at -26.6% and -24.6%, respectively, according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. Needham estimates that Medtronic* gained the most spine share in Q220, with DePuy Synthes* losing the most. 

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

The full force of elective procedure shutdowns blasted away at the Total Joints Market in Q220, but Knees took the biggest hit as a higher percentage of knee replacements are considered elective.

As a result of COVID-19, elective procedure shutdowns in early Q220 blasted away at revenue results for the US Total Joints Market. When the dust settled, the US Market for Hips and Knees was down -41.9% according to SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard. US Knees experienced the biggest hit due to its exposure from a higher percentage of elective procedures compared to Hips. US Hips did not come through unscathed but suffered less damage.

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

Ascension and HOPCo partner together to develop a creative musculoskeletal care platform that could expand across the US

The shift to value-based care in orthopedics has fueled the ongoing debate about the appropriate site-of-care for musculoskeletal conditions – ambulatory surgery center (ASC) vs hospital. However, Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast (Ascension), a part of one of the US’ leading non-profit and Catholic health systems, has a broader more inclusive vision to expand musculoskeletal care in their Florida and Gulf Coast area at the highest possible quality.

Ascension’s vision led them to join forces with the Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo), a company that facilitates the shift to value-based musculoskeletal care, and with Southeast Orthopedic Specialists (Southeast), the largest independent orthopedic practice in the Jacksonville area. In July, Ascension and HOPCo signed an agreement to create and develop a continuum-of-care musculoskeletal platform.