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SmartTRAK Life Sciences News and Analysis Blog

2 min read

Sports Medicine and Extremities Start-Ups to Watch

By Sharon O'Reilly on 1/3/24 9:30 AM

SmartTRAK highlights start-ups developing innovative products for joint resurfacing, soft tissue fixation, ligament and tendon augmentation at the 2023 MNVC.

Sports medicine and extremities were prominent themes at the 21st Annual Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference (MNVC) held in Memphis in November 2023. Approximately one-third of the 38 presenting companies debuted new and innovative technologies for treating sports-related injuries of the knee, shoulder, hand, foot & ankle ranging from soft tissue fixation, ligament and tendon augmentation and cartilage resurfacing. Now that investment in robotics and surgical navigation craze has peaked, major orthopedic manufacturers are directing research and development (R&D) dollars toward restoring joint function using biological approaches and a variety of less invasive techniques. 

Among the topics covered in this market outlook article are:

  • Promising Knee and Shoulder Start-Ups
  • Extremity Fixation: An Emerging Market
  • Resurgence in Joint Resurfacing

A fertile ground for strategic negotiations and deal-making, several of the major players have broadened their range of products through strategic tuck-in acquisitions in the past year. Also, several start-ups are targeting the multi-billion dollar Soft Tissue Fixation market.  This landscape reflects a dynamic and competitive environment where established players seek to strengthen their positions through ...

To download and read the complete "Sports Medicine and Extremities Start-Ups to Watch" market outlook article by Sharon O'Reilly, SmartTRAK's Founder and CEO, just click the button below. Read the Article

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2 min read

SAWC Fall 2023: Skin Substitutes Reign Again

By Susan Paquette on 12/12/23 9:30 AM

Over the last 10+ years, the market for skin substitutes has been turbulent with new technologies and products being launched and reimbursement changes occurring for the various sites of care. SmartTRAK highlights a few of these based on the recent SAWC Fall meeting.

Skin substitutes, also referred to as CTPs (cellular and/or tissue-based products) or CAMPs (cellular, acellular and matrix‑like products), remained front and center at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall meeting held in Las Vegas on November 2-5, 2023. The strong presence of these products mirrors a similar trend in the overall US Advanced Wound Care (AWC) market. For Q323, skin substitutes alone account for 37% of the US AWC market, more than Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) or Advanced Dressings, according to an analysis of SmartTRAK Financial Dashboard.

In this article, SmartTRAK discusses in detail:

  • The Migration of Skin Substitutes Over the Years
  • Which Synthetics are Gaining Attention
  • New Companies–Unique Technology and Innovations
  • Health Policy Dynamics–Reimbursement and Advocacy
  • The Future of US-Based AWC Companies
  • The Potential for Acquisitions on the Horizon

To download and read the complete detailed "SAWC Fall 2023: Skin Substitutes Reign Again" article by SmartTRAK's Susan Paquette, VP & General Manager, Wound and Terry Hayslett, Sr. Analyst, Wound, just click the button below. Read the Article

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2 min read

US MIS SI Joint Fusion Market: Unlocking the Future of Spine

By Kris Jacques on 11/28/23 9:49 AM

Ready to dive into one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the world of Spine? Welcome to the realm of SI Joint Fusion, a market poised for remarkable growth with a projected 5-year CAGR of +18%. At SmartTRAK, we’re excited to introduce you to this thriving sector and give you a sneak peek of our forthcoming in-depth market segment solution subscription.

Outlined below is a brief list highlighting some of the key insights awaiting you upon subscribing to SmartTRAK's innovative solution and the valuable knowledge it delivers:

  • Market Overview (US only/MIS market only):
    - Incidence and Prevalence: Understand the scale of SI Joint Fusion cases.
    - Market Size: Explore the market's current size and potential.
    - Revenue/Procedure Forecast through 2027: Take a look at expected future growth by market segments; transfixing and non-transfixing.
    - Growth Trends: Stay ahead with insights into emerging trends.
  • Competitive Landscape:
    - By System Type: Discover the differences between Transfixing and Non-transfixing.
    - 2022 ASP Data Summary: Gain access to crucial pricing information.
  • National/Regional Site of Service Procedure Volume Data:
    - HOPD vs ASC vs. Inpatient: Know where these procedures are performed.     - Annual Trends from 2017: Track the historical data for insights. 
  • Coding & Reimbursement - 2024 Outlook:
    - Anticipate changes in coding and reimbursement for the coming year.
  • Why MIS SIJ Fusion Matters:
    Within the vast Spine landscape, the Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) SI Joint Fusion procedure category is the star of the show. Here's why:
    - Growing Awareness and Diagnosis: More individuals are recognizing SI joint pain as a significant issue.
    - Robust Clinical Data: The body of clinical evidence is expanding.
    - Increasing Reimbursement Coding: Hospitals, HOPDs, ASCs and Physician's offices.
  • The Future of MIS SI Joint Fusion:
    Acceptance of the posterior/dorsal non-transfixing MIS SI fusion approach is on the rise. This process is set to drive procedural growth and popularity, particularly among interventional pain physicians at Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs).

So are you ready to dive into one of the most rapidly expanding markets in the world of Spine? Don’t miss your chance to stay ahead of the curve in the booming world of SI Joint Fusion and Be The Expert! Just click the button below to find out more. Be The Expert!

Topics: Top Story Spine
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3 min read

The Future of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine: SmartTRAK at UIP 2023

By Terry Hayslett on 11/6/23 5:01 PM

At the 20th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology, SmartTRAK identifies market developments that will impact the treatment of venous and lymphatic diseases now and in the future.

The American Vein and Lymphatic Society recently hosted the 20th World Congress of the International Union of Phlebology (UIP 2023) in Miami Beach, FL. The Congress drew clinicians from around the world to discuss the latest advances in venous and lymphatic medicine. While the Congress covered many interesting topics, SmartTRAK noted market developments that will impact the treatment of venous and lymphatic diseases now and in the future. In this article, SmartTRAK explores the impact that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement cuts are having on physicians treating venous and lymphatic diseases, examines how clinicians and industry are responding to the proposed Medicare coverage of lymphedema treatment items and evaluates what’s on the horizon for emerging technologies. 

This downloadable article, discussing the market developments that will impact the treatment of venous and lymphatic diseases now and in the future, delves into many compelling topics, including:

Physician Payment Cuts
The American Medical Association reported that between 2001 and 2023, the cost of operating a medical practice increased by 47%, while physician payment rates increased by only 9%. When adjusted for inflation, the rates have gone down by 26%. Dr. John Blebea, Vascular Surgeon and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Central Michigan University, underscored this point with a presentation titled “The Effect of Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts on Office-Based Practices.” Dr. Blebea noted that ...

New Medicare Coverage of Lymphedema Treatment Items
Medicare currently provides Durable Medical Equipment (DME) coverage or authorizes payment for certain compression items when used to treat venous stasis ulcers. However, Medicare does not provide coverage for many of the same items when they are used to treat lymphedema. This dynamic provides a great case study of the effectiveness of advocacy in calling for ...

Emerging Technologies
If innovation fuels growth in the med tech industry, then the number of sessions on emerging technologies at UIP 2023 should mean that the future is bright for venous and lymphatic medicine. Dr. Steve Elias, Director, Center for Vein Disease, Englewood Health Network, hosted several sessions on emerging innovations in thrombectomy, sclerotherapy, artificial intelligence (AI)-guided imaging, intravascular ultrasound and compression therapy. SmartTRAK has covered the Compression Therapy Market since 2015 and has watched ...

To download and read the complete article about The Future of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine by Terry Hayslett, SmartTRAK Senior Analyst, Advanced Wound Care, just click the button below.Read the Article

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3 min read

Anika's Expanding Shoulder Preservation Solutions

By Lisa Mahan on 10/31/23 9:33 AM

Anika’s President and CEO Cheryl Blanchard, Ph.D., discusses the Company’s expanding portfolio of shoulder preservation solutions

Anika Therapeutics entered the Reverse Shoulder Market this year with the US market release of the RevoMotion Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty System, expanding their complement of products for shoulder joint preservation and replacement. This new offering allows the Company to compete in the rapidly growing US Market for Reverse Shoulders. Lisa Mahan, SmartTRAK Senior Analyst Total Joints & Extremities, talked with Cheryl Blanchard, PhD, President and CEO of Anika, to discuss the launch of RevoMotion, along with the X-Twist Fixation System, Integrity Patch System, Cingal next generation OA injectable and Tactoset Injectable Bone Substitute.
 
The Interview
 

SmartTRAK: RevoMotion has been out almost nine months now in limited release and you just went to full market release. Congratulations. How is that going?

Cheryl Blanchard: Thank you! Anika announced the full market release of the RevoMotion Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty System (RSA) during the 2023 Orthopaedic Summit (OSET) Annual Meeting September 20-23 in Boston, MA and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

We began the limited launch in January 2023 and have performed over 100 cases since then. The feedback we received and the response during the limited market release was impressive as some of the first patients in have already returned to their surgeons and asked for the same implant to be placed in their other shoulder. To have patients far enough into recovery to want the RevoMotion RSA in their other shoulder says a lot about the system and its future success. The limited release allowed us to collect feedback to better optimize the instrumentation and surgical technique for the full market release as well. Though we finished gathering feedback months ago, manufacturing instrument sets and system components takes time. That brought us right to our full market release during OSET in September.

We know that the reverse shoulder market is a crowded space. Given that probably 80% of the market is reverse shoulders, for Anika we knew we had something incredible to offer clinicians and patients based on the historic Arthrosurface design philosophies focused on bone sparing, motion preservation and anatomic design features. We also knew that with the data-backed and trusted OVOMotion with Inlay Glenoid Total Shoulder Arthroplasty System, it would be difficult to penetrate the full shoulder arthroplasty market without having a reverse option.

Additionally, there is a big shift of a lot of these products and procedures into the ASC setting. We will possibly see even more products coming into the ASC when CMS changes how they reimburse and we realized that there was a real opportunity to provide optimized instrument trays that would reduce the operating room footprint. RevoMotion has a two-tray instrumentation system that is very streamlined. The surgical technique is also very streamlined. We're hearing great feedback on it and we're excited to be in full market release coming into the fourth quarter.

That's wonderful. You mentioned the instrument trays and some of the design. If there was one thing that differentiates RevoMotion from other reverse shoulders on the market, what would you say that is?

CB:We believe and continue to hear feedback from surgeon users that having the smallest threaded glenoid base plate on the market is one of the biggest differentiators. Personally, I didn't understand the true significance of that until I started to speak directly with surgeons who had used the system. Listening to real-time feedback and observing in the OR, you realize it's a major benefit as it provides...

To download and read the complete transcript of the interview with Anika’s President & CEO Cheryl Blanchard conducted by Lisa Mahan, VP Product Development & IT, Sr. Analyst TJ&E, just click the button below. Download the Transcript

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1 min read

Trends Potentially Impacting the Total Joints Market: A Flash Report

By Lisa Mahan on 10/18/23 8:03 AM

SmartTRAK takes a quick look at recent trends that may influence the Total Joints Market in the near and long term

Wall Street Analysts recently called out two trends specifically that could influence the Total Joints Market. One trend, the strengthening of the US dollar, is likely to impact the global market in 2024. Another trend is the increased prescribing of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Byetta and Mounjaro, medications first used to treat Type 2 diabetes, as a treatment for obesity. This has the potential to impact the market down the road. In this downloadable article, SmartTRAK maps out the potential impact of these trends.

To download and read the complete article by SmartTRAK's Lisa Mahan, Product Development & IT, Sr. Analyst TJ&E, just click the button below. Read the Article

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2 min read

Three Ortho Robotics Companies to Watch in 2023

By Shelly Caruso on 5/9/23 9:30 AM

SmartTRAK identifies three orthopedic robotics companies strategically positioned to shake things up this year in the fast-growing robotic-assisted TJA market.

SmartTRAK projects robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) will account for 48.5% of all US TKAs and 79.6% of all US robotic-assisted joint replacements by 2026E. This growth of robotic-assisted ortho procedures and ongoing adoption of enabling tech continues to drive the US ortho robotics market. In this Market Outlook Article, SmartTRAK identifies and analyzes three robotics companies that may shake things up in 2023 and beyond. They are:

  • Stryker: Racing Towards New Indications in 2023
    • On the heels of a record-breaking quarter in Q422 in terms of MAKO installations in the US and internationally, market-leader Stryker (SYK) announced in its Q422 earnings call highly-anticipated timelines for the Company’s plans to launch ...
  • THINK Surgical: Pursuing Two New Robots in 2023
    • THINK Surgical has a different approach compared to most robotics competitors. The Company focuses on providing robotic systems for joint replacement surgery, with an open implant library as an alternative to closed systems limited to a single manufacturer's implants. At the Canaccord Genuity Healthcare Conference in 2022, the Company revealed plans to ...
  • Globus Medical: Bringing Knee Enabling Tech to Market in 2023
    • Since Globus Medical (GMED) acquired Stelkast in 2019 as a foundation for expanding into the total joint market, an orthopedic robotic system from the Company has been looming on the horizon. In the last two years, GMED has been consistently submitting intellectual property applications related to ...

To read the complete "Three Ortho Robotics Companies to Watch in 2023" Market Outlook article by By Shelly Caruso, SmartTRAK's Market Analyst/Medical Writer, Just click the button below. Download the Ortho Robotics 2023 Article

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2 min read

Spine Themes for 2023: Great Expectations

By Courtney Sheedy on 5/5/23 9:30 AM

For FY23, SmartTRAK expects to see M&A activity create both opportunities and challenges, the impact of positive swings in reimbursement furthering growth in SI joint fusion and disc replacement and for ongoing hospital limitations and the persistent adoption of MIS techniques to perpetuate the movement of spine cases to the ASC environment.

SmartTRAK expects to see several trends evolve in the spine market in 2023, shaped by current events and changing market dynamics in recent years. Over the past several years, organizational consolidation has continued as the market demanded scale to compete. An evolution in innovation and advancements in surgical techniques continues to push categorical growth in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and other procedures that lean on technology to maximize surgical efficiencies for both patients and surgeons.

In this comprehensive Market Outlook article, SmartTRAK examines, in detail, the following issues confronting the Spine market in the year ahead:

  • Corporate Consolidation Activity is Creating both Opportunities and Headwinds
    • Two important mergers transpired last year which will undoubtedly cause major market disruption in 2023: Orthofix/SeaSpine and Globus/NuVasive. For both deals, SmartTRAK expects to see ...

  • An Evolving Reimbursement Landscape is Driving Continued Growth in SI Joint fusion and Disc Replacement
    • There continue to be two spine procedures commanding attention for similar reasons. Historically, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) fusion and total disc replacement (TDR) have been simple and innovative solutions with limited clinical data available, both plagued with reimbursement challenges. The demand for both has been growing for years ...

  • Ongoing Hospital Constraints and Continued Adoption of MIS Techniques Further Procedural Migration to ASCs
    • The macroeconomic climate has caused systemic budget cutting and restructuring in healthcare, which has challenged staffing abilities in already overburdened facilities. Hospital executives’ demand for efficiency and optimization often put surgeons in a position of ...

To read the complete "Spine Themes for 2023: Great Expectations" Market Outlook article by Courtney Sheedy, SmartTRAK's General Manager, Spine, Just click the button below.Download the Spine Themes 2023 Article

Topics: Top Story Spine
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3 min read

Five Companies to Watch in Wound Diagnostics in 2023

By Kris Flinn on 4/25/23 9:30 AM

The need for effective wound diagnostics has never been greater. SmartTRAK highlights five companies that may advance the market in 2023

SmartTRAK forecasts the US Diagnostics Aids Market to more than double in size by 2026E. There is a significant need for diagnostic technologies in US wound care, with hard-to-heal wounds anticipated to exceed four million by 2026E and advanced wound care revenues growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate of over 6% according to the SmartTRAK US AWC Market Overview.

In this article, SmartTRAK focuses on five noteworthy companies and the key initiatives they have planned for 2023 and also reveals four organizations that could disrupt the market this year. The five are:

  • Spectral MD
    • It is now ten years since Spectral MD was first awarded US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) funding to accelerate the commercialization of its DeepView technology, a portable imaging system that uses ...

  • MolecuLight
    • Since 2015, MolecuLight has been very visible and active with its MolecuLight i:X device, a handheld fluorescence imaging device that provides real-time visualization of bacteria in chronic wounds at ...

  • Podimetrics
    • Podimetrics is another company that has ridden the challenges of the early 2020s with great success. Revenues have doubled for three years running and Company infrastructure has been ...

  • Smith+Nephew
    • SNN has shown a greater desire to establish itself within wound diagnostics than any other major wound care player. In addition to the Company’s agreement with MolecuLight, in 2019, SNN also acquired ...

  • 3M
    • SmartTRAK estimates that 3M had a 19.5% share of the WW Advanced Wound Care Market in the first nine months of 2022, making them the number one player. Over 80% of the Company’s revenue is from ...

The US Diagnostic Aids Market is highly fragmented, with a variety of start-ups, academic institutions and established players attempting to commercialize a range of technologies. As well as the five companies already featured, SmartTRAK believes that the following organizations could disrupt the market in 2023 ...

Just click the button below to download and read the "Five Companies to Watch in Wound Diagnostics in 2023" Market Outlook article by Kris Flinn, SmartTRAK Senior Analyst, Wound. Download the Market Outlook Article


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2 min read

The Future of Spine Enabling Tech for 2023

By Shelly Caruso on 4/4/23 9:33 AM

As the US Spine Enabling Technology Market shows signs of blossoming opportunity in 2023, SmartTRAK highlights three distinct trends continuing to gain traction in the coming year.

The US market for Spine Enabling Technology boasted modest YoY gains in nearly every quarter in 2022, showing signs of blossoming opportunity in 2023 as procedure volumes return to pre-pandemic levels. SmartTRAK projects the US Spine Enabling Technology Market will have a five-year CAGR of 25.1%, according to SmartTRAK Spine Enabling Tech Market Overview. Looking ahead, SmartTRAK sees three distinct trends continuing in 2023: the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), the increasing use of “smart” innovations in robotics and the ongoing shift of spine cases to the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) setting.

Among the trends outlined and discussed in detail in this Market Outlook article are:

Trend #1: Growing Use of AI to Optimize Surgery and Predict Outcomes
It is no secret that AI is here to stay. In recent years, advances in deep learning and deep neural networks have fueled the introduction of a wave of AI and machine learning-based solutions across various medical applications. SmartTRAK reviews the development of AI in healthcare and the implementation of AI-driven imaging in orthopedics and ...

Trends #2: Increasing use of "Smart" Drilling and Haptic Feedback in Robotics. Current evidence remains unclear whether increased accuracy of implant placement associated with robotic assistance in spine surgery translates to improved patient outcomes. Nevertheless, robotic adoption is clearly increasing with market leader MDT highlighting “record-breaking quarters” in Mazor robotics for Q4FY22. SmartTRAK estimates the US Spine Robotics Market will reach ...

Trends #3: : Ongoing Shift of Non-complex Spine to ASCs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital restrictions on non-urgent surgical cases prompted surgeons to take more cases to surgery centers. For a surgeon, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can facilitate better economics, control and patient safety. In the pandemic aftermath, published research suggests there is a renewed focus on ...

To download and read the complete "The Future of Spine Enabling Tech for 2023" article by Shelly Caruso, SmartTRAK Market Analyst/Medical Writer, just click the button below. Download the Article

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